Acetabular Cup Extractor With Rotating Blade Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical tools are inadequate for safely and efficiently removing an acetabular cup from an acetabulum, particularly in reverse hip prosthesis revision surgeries, as they often cause bone damage due to the lack of precise control over blade placement and length, especially when significant bone ingrowth has occurred.

Innovation Solution

A surgical tool with a shaft, blade, and extractor cup that rotates around the acetabular ball to position the blade between the acetabular cup and bone, using blades of increasing lengths to loosen the cup without damaging the bone, and a handle with a lever arm for controlled rotation and pressure, minimizing bone damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing surgical tools are used to remove the acetabular cup, then the removal process can be performed, but bone damage occurs due to lack of precise control over blade placement and length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecise control over blade placementVSAvoidbone damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical tool is divided into modular components: a shaft, multiple blades of different lengths, and an extractor cup. The blades can be selectively attached to the shaft depending on the depth of bone ingrowth, allowing precise control over the cutting depth and minimizing bone damage while effectively removing the acetabular cup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates a rotatable blade mechanism that allows the blade to be dynamically positioned and rotated against the acetabular cup. This dynamic adjustment enables precise control over blade placement and orientation, ensuring accurate separation from the bone without causing unnecessary damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If blades of increasing lengths are used to loosen the cup, then the cup can be removed even with significant bone ingrowth, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different bone ingrowth levelsVSAvoidmultiple blades of different lengths
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical tool is designed as a universal system that can handle various scenarios of bone ingrowth depth. By providing multiple blades of different lengths that can be attached to the same shaft, the tool becomes multi-functional, adapting to mild, moderate, or severe bone ingrowth cases without requiring multiple separate instruments.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The blades are designed to be nested or stored within the handle or shaft assembly when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows multiple blades of different lengths to be compactly integrated into a single tool, reducing the overall complexity and making the tool easier to store and deploy during surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If the blade is positioned adjacent to the convex surface of the cup, then the cup can be separated from the acetabulum, but precise control is required to avoid bone damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of cup removalVSAvoidcontrol over blade placement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extractor cup serves as an intermediary component that interfaces with the acetabular ball and provides a stable base for blade attachment. This intermediary structure facilitates precise control over blade placement by providing a defined mounting position, enabling efficient cup removal while minimizing the risk of bone damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blade and shaft assembly incorporates visual indicators or color-coded markings that help the surgeon identify the correct blade length and proper insertion depth. These visual cues enhance ease of operation by providing immediate feedback on blade placement, ensuring precise control during the separation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3328320B1Acetabular cup extractor
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 HIP INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP3328320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3328320B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP3328320B1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

A surgical tool and method used to extract an acetabular cup from an acetabulum with minimal or no bone damage even if there has been significant bone ingrowth prior to the extraction process. The tool is designed for use with a reverse hip prosthesis wherein the acetabular cup comprises a stem extending from its concave surface and an acetabular ball is affixed to the stem. The tool is rotated on the ball and a blade is thereby caused to rotate adjacent or in close proximity to a convex surface of the cup in a position between the acetabular bone and the cup, thereby separating the cup from the bone.