Acetabular Liner Fitting Ring Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion of a liner into an acetabular shell often requires proper alignment to avoid prolonging surgical procedures and causing discomfort to the patient, which is challenging due to the tapered region of the acetabular shell and the difficulty in accessing the implanted components.
Innovation Solution
Attaching a fitting ring to the edge of the liner with an alignment portion that extends radially outward, engaging with the lip portion of the acetabular shell to center the liner and correct any pivoting, allowing for easier insertion and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a liner is inserted into an acetabular shell without proper alignment tools, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the liner may be improperly seated and require rework, increasing surgical time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment tool as an intermediary device that facilitates proper liner placement. The alignment tool includes a guide portion that engages with the acetabular shell and a positioning portion that guides the liner into correct alignment, eliminating the need for complex real-time alignment procedures during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool is designed to be applied to the acetabular shell before liner insertion. The guide portion is positioned on the acetabular shell first, establishing the correct alignment reference, and then the positioning portion guides the liner into place, ensuring proper seating before the actual insertion occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the acetabular shell has a tapered region to provide different bearing materials, then the structural design is improved, but the liner alignment becomes more difficult and the liner may pivot during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool serves as a mediator between the tapered acetabular shell and the liner. The guide portion engages with the tapered shell structure while the positioning portion provides a reference surface for the liner, compensating for the difficulty in aligning liners with tapered geometries and preventing pivoting during insertion.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the opening in the tissue is kept minimally sized to reduce healing time, then patient recovery is improved, but accessing the implanted acetabular shell and liner becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is designed with separate functional segments: a guide portion for engaging the acetabular shell and a positioning portion for guiding the liner. This segmentation allows the tool to access and align components through the minimal opening without requiring large incisions, maintaining both quick healing and surgical accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
A fitting ring (26) can be provided that is attachable to an edge of a liner (24) for an acetabular shell (22). The fitting ring can include an alignment portion (44) shaped or configured to engage a lip portion (34) of the acetabular shell as the liner is inserted into the acetabular shell to center the liner and correct any pivoting of the liner relative to the acetabular shell. A driving force can be applied to the liner to drive the liner into the acetabular shell while the fitting ring guides the liner as the liner is inserted into the acetabular shell. Driving the liner into the acetabular shell can also cause the fitting ring to disengage from the liner.