Acetabular Labrum Reconstruction Using Allograft Meniscus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reconstructing the acetabular labrum, such as those used in ACL repairs, fail to provide satisfactory results due to the unique triangular cross-sectional shape and mechanical properties of the acetabular labrum, which are not matched by substitute tissues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an allograft meniscus, where the graft is measured and trimmed to match the arc length and curvature of the damaged acetabular labrum, secured using knotless suture anchors to ensure proper fit and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ACL repair techniques are used to reconstruct the acetabular labrum, then the procedure can be performed with existing materials, but the mechanical properties and triangular cross-sectional shape of the acetabular labrum cannot be matched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from ACL substitute tissue to allograft meniscus, which has the correct cartilaginous properties and triangular cross-sectional shape. This parameter change enables the graft to match the mechanical properties of the acetabular labrum while maintaining procedural feasibility through established meniscal harvesting and preparation techniques
2Ease of manufacture
If the graft arc length is not precisely measured and trimmed, then the preparation process is simpler, but the graft cannot be properly secured to the acetabular rim
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the acetabular rim arc length using a wheel or tine-based measuring instrument before graft preparation. This preliminary action allows the graft to be trimmed to the exact required dimensions, ensuring proper fit and secure attachment to the acetabular rim while maintaining a streamlined preparation process
3Measurement precision
If measuring instruments with complex mechanisms are used to measure arc length, then measurement precision is improved, but the surgical instrument complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function into a separate, simple mechanical instrument (wheel or tine-based device) that can be independently used during surgery. This extraction allows for precise arc length measurement without integrating complex measurement systems into the graft preparation or fixation instruments, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while minimizing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and instruments for repairing a damaged acetabular labrum. The arc length of a portion of an acetabular rim proximal to the damaged (torn or broken) region of the acetabular labrum is measured, and a graft, such as a meniscal allograft or a gracilis autograft, is trimmed according to the measurement and secured in the damaged region of the acetabular labrum as a replacement. Various instruments, such as a wheel mounted on an arm, a measuring member with spaced tines, or a hollow arm with a graduated wire, can be used to measure the arc length of the damaged region of the acetabular labrum.