Minimally Invasive Acetabular Prosthesis Insertion System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning anatomical implants, such as acetabular and femoral head implants, often require large incisions for access, which can be invasive and complicate the implantation process, necessitating the development of less invasive techniques that allow for precise positioning and alignment of prosthetic components.
Innovation Solution
An implantation system comprising a shell and liner prosthesis with associated inserter instruments, including a shell inserter and liner inserter, that utilize alignment markers and biasing mechanisms to facilitate the minimally invasive placement of acetabular shell and liner implants relative to the anatomy, allowing for precise orientation and secure engagement without extensive tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large incision is made to access the anatomical area for prosthesis implantation, then ease of access and implantation is improved, but tissue trauma and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple components (acetabular shell and liner) that can be inserted separately through a smaller incision. The shell is implanted first, followed by the liner, allowing the incision to be sized for the smaller components rather than the complete assembled prosthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The acetabular shell is implanted and positioned in advance before the liner is inserted. This preliminary placement of the shell creates a receptacle that guides the subsequent liner insertion, enabling both components to be placed through a minimized incision while maintaining proper positioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a smaller incision is used for minimally invasive implantation, then tissue trauma is reduced, but ease of access and implantation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is designed to fit inside the acetabular shell, creating a nested configuration. This allows both components to be passed through a small incision in sequence, with the liner being inserted through the shell's opening, effectively reducing the required incision size while maintaining implantation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The acetabular shell serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates liner insertion. By first establishing the shell in the acetabulum, it provides a guided pathway and structural framework that simplifies the subsequent liner implantation through the same small incision.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If prosthesis components are positioned through a small incision, then invasiveness is reduced, but positioning precision and alignment accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The liner and shell incorporate asymmetric features including non-circular cross-sections and specific geometric profiles that provide inherent orientation references. These asymmetric geometries ensure that when the components are assembled, they achieve the correct angular orientation and alignment without requiring complex external alignment tools visible through the small incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis components include visual alignment markers and color-coded features that allow the surgeon to verify proper orientation and alignment of the shell and liner during implantation. These visual indicators compensate for the limited visual access through a small incision by providing clear feedback on component positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for implanting various portions of a prosthesis into an anatomy. The instruments can include portions that allow for positive and rigid engagement with a selected prosthesis member to allow for positioning it relative to the anatomy. Further, various instruments can include portions that allow it to engage or match with marking portions or alignment portions on a first prosthesis member to align a second prosthesis member with the first one. Further, methods of using the various instruments are taught and providing for a less or minimally invasive procedure.