Acetabular Cup Assembly with Adjustable Press-Fit and Osteointegration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acetabular cups for hip prostheses lack versatility and are difficult to adjust to the shape of the acetabular seat, requiring multiple types and complicating the fixation process, making it inefficient and unsafe during surgery.

Innovation Solution

The acetabular cup assembly includes a press-fit coupled acetabular cup with a growth support and fixing plate, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure fixation using screws, enabling omnidirectional spherical joint formation without an intermediate insert, and featuring a trabecular structure for osteointegration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of acetabular cups are provided to accommodate different acetabular seat configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to acetabular seat configurationVSAvoidnumber of acetabular cup types
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The acetabular cup is designed with a universal adaptation mechanism featuring a press-fit coupling system with a coupling surface that can be adjusted to match different acetabular seat configurations. The cup includes adjustment mechanisms allowing modification of its position and orientation within the acetabular seat, enabling a single cup design to serve multiple anatomical variations without requiring multiple specialized cup types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of acetabular cups are provided for different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation during surgery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to acetabular seat configurationVSAvoidease of selection and fixation during surgery
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The acetabular cup incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities allowing the surgeon to modify the cup's position, orientation, and configuration in real-time during the surgical procedure. The press-fit coupling system includes movable elements and adjustment mechanisms that enable flexible positioning without requiring pre-selection of multiple fixed-type cups, simplifying the surgical decision-making process and操作流程.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If traditional fixation methods are used for acetabular cups, then simplicity is maintained, but reliability and safety of fixation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation method simplicityVSAvoidfixation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The acetabular cup employs a composite fixation system combining press-fit mechanical coupling with osteointegration-capable materials. The cup body is made of biocompatible material with a surface treatment or coating that promotes bone ingrowth and biological fixation. This composite approach integrates mechanical stability from the press-fit interface with long-term biological anchoring, achieving both reliable fixation and material simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a versatile, safely and simply fixable acetabular cup assembly that can be adjusted to accommodate various acetabular seat configurations, enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes by ensuring a secure and adaptable fit.

Implementation Method 1

an acetabular cup (1) suitable for being coupled in the seat (80) of the acetabulum (8) of the patient in press-fit coupling mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPress-fit coupling: Friction

Implementation Method 2

screws (4) for fixing the acetabular cup, the growth support (2) and the fixing plate (3) to the acetabular bone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew fixation: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

featuring a trabecular structure for osteointegration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsteointegration: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3954332B1Acetabular cup assembly for hip prosthesis
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 MELOZZI ALESSANDRO
  • EP3954332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3954332B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3954332B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

An acetabular cup assembly (100) comprises: an acetabular cup (1) suitable for being fixed in a seat (80) of an acetabulum (8) of the patient and for accommodating a head (5) with a substantially spherical shape fixed to a stem (6) suitable for being disposed in a femur of the patient, a growth support (2) suitable for being fixed to the acetabular cup (1) and to the acetabular seat (80), a fixing plate (3) suitable for being fixed to the acetabulum (8) of the patient in order to hold the acetabular cup (1) and the head (5) of the prosthesis, and screws (4) for fixing the acetabular cup, the growth support (2) and the fixing plate (3) to the acetabular bone.