Modular Acetabular Shell With Porous Augment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hip replacement surgeries, existing acetabular prostheses face challenges in securely attaching the acetabular shell to the augment component, particularly in cases where bone tissue is damaged or diseased, requiring improved fixation methods to ensure stability and alignment.

Innovation Solution

A modular acetabular prosthesis system comprising an acetabular shell and an augment component with a slot and bore configuration, allowing for multiple orientations and secure fastening using self-tapping bone screws or bone cement, with the augment component made from porous metal materials like titanium foam for enhanced bone integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional acetabular prostheses are used without augment components, then the prosthesis structure is simpler, but the prosthesis cannot securely attach to damaged or diseased bone tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidprosthesis structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into separate modular components: an acetabular shell and an augment component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shell provides structural integrity while the augment component addresses bone defects, resolving the contradiction between attachment security and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The augment component is received within a void created in the surgically-prepared acetabulum, effectively nesting the augment component inside the acetabular shell. This nested configuration enables secure attachment to damaged bone while maintaining an integrated overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If bone cement is used to secure components, then the attachment process is simpler, but the fixation strength and alignment precision are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidattachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A slot is formed extending through the inner curved surface of the augment component before assembly. This preliminary structural preparation enables precise mechanical alignment and secure fastening with the acetabular shell, providing strong fixation without requiring complex attachment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The slot acts as an intermediary feature that mediates between the augment component and acetabular shell, enabling precise alignment and secure mechanical attachment. This intermediary structure provides both strong fixation and ease of assembly by guiding the relative positioning of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the augment component is made from solid metal, then the structural strength is higher, but the bone integration and customization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone integrationVSAvoidcomponent strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The augment component is made from porous metal material, which provides high surface area for bone ingrowth and integration. The porous structure enhances adaptability to different bone defects while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the distributed pore architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The use of porous metal material represents a composite structure that combines the strength of metal with the integration capabilities of porous architectures. This composite approach enables both high bone integration and adequate structural strength simultaneously.

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

The system provides a customizable and secure attachment of the acetabular shell to the augment component, accommodating various bone defects and anatomical orientations, thereby enhancing the stability and integration of the prosthesis with the patient's hipbone.

Implementation Method 1

the augment component may be made from a porous metal material. Illustratively, the porous material may be titanium foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone ingrowth: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS8506643B2Acetabular prosthesis system

Publication Date: 2013.08.13 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

An acetabular prosthesis system configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared acetabulum includes an acetabular shell, an augment component, and a fastener configured to couple the acetabular shell and the augment component together.