Acetabular Shell Porous Regions and Screw Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acetabular revision implants lack adaptability during surgery and are not well-suited to varying patient bone structures, limiting surgical options and fixation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A hemispherical acetabular shell with varying porosity regions for enhanced bone cement adhesion and customizable screw placement, combined with solid struts for structural integrity, allowing for both mechanical locking and cement fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a solid acetabular shell is used, then structural strength is maintained, but bone cement adhesion and fixation options are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidbone cement adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shell incorporates regions of varying porosity (first porous region with first porosity, second porous region with second porosity) within the substantially solid structure. These localized porous regions provide enhanced bone cement adhesion and fixation options without compromising the overall structural strength of the shell, as the solid portions maintain mechanical integrity while the porous portions enable better biological fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed screw hole placements are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to varying bone structures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsurgical adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shell includes multiple bone screw holes positioned at different locations and orientations throughout the structure, allowing the surgeon to dynamically select and use only the holes needed for a specific patient's anatomy and surgical approach. This dynamic configuration provides adaptability to varying bone structures while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standardized hole patterns that can be selectively utilized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fully porous shell is used, then bone integration is enhanced, but structural integrity and durability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone integrationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shell employs a hybrid structure with substantially solid portions providing structural integrity and durability, combined with localized porous regions (first porous region and second porous region) that enhance bone cement adhesion and bone integration. This local quality differentiation allows the shell to achieve both structural strength and biological fixation without requiring the entire structure to be porous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Improves adhesion and fixation of the acetabular liner, providing greater surgical flexibility and better outcomes by aligning porous regions with anatomical features for improved bone integration and screw placement.

Implementation Method 1

bone cement may be disposed on the more porous portions to adhere a liner to the shell. The bone cement may have better adhesion with the more porous portions of the shell and form a relatively stronger bond between the shell and the liner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the shell may have regions of varying porosity, such as certain portions having a first porosity, which may be formed by pores with consistent pore sizes, and other portions having a second porosity, which may be formed by pores with consistent pore sizes, or lack of porosity.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP4445875A1Bone implant shell with multiple fixation options
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP
  • EP4445875A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4445875A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4445875A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An orthopedic implant (100, 400) includes a first surface (106), a second surface (108), and a first body portion (109) extending between the first surface (106) and the second surface (108) to define a thickness of the implant (100, 400). The first body portion (109) includes a first porous section (412a-412c) defining pores, solid bounding struts (432a-432i, 434a-434d) including a first set of bounding struts (432a-432i, 434a-434d), and a first bone screw hole (436a-436c) extending through a thickness of the implant (100, 400). Each of the struts of the first set of bounding struts (432a-432i, 434a-434d) bound the first porous section (412a-412c). The first set of bounding struts (432a-432i, 434a-434d) include a first curved strut (432a-432i) that further bounds a portion of a perimeter of the first bone screw hole (436a-436c).