Acromioclavicular Artificial Ligament with Resorbable Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for acromioclavicular luxation, such as acromioclavicular plates and coracoclavicular screws, fail to provide an optimal compromise between therapeutic requirements like quality of movement, operating time, simplicity of surgical technique, and minimization of recurrences, and often require additional surgeries for removal.
Innovation Solution
An artificial acromioclavicular ligament made of biocompatible materials like Dyneema, designed with interchangeable ends and anchoring regions, allowing for direct reduction and stabilization of the dislocation through a minimally invasive surgical approach, maintaining physiological micro-motility of the acromioclavicular joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an acromioclavicular plate is used for fixing the joint, then the joint stabilization is improved and minimally invasive approach is enabled, but a second operation for removal is required and healing of the ligament is not interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resorbable screw that degrades over time after implantation, eliminating the need for a second surgical removal operation. The screw maintains joint stabilization during the healing period and then naturally resorbs, converting a permanent implant into a temporary, self-dissolving fixation device.
Solution Approach 2:
The resorbable screw is designed to be discarded by the body's natural metabolic processes after serving its temporary stabilization function. The degradation and resorption of the screw material allows the body to recover without requiring additional surgical intervention for implant removal.
2Strength
If a coracoclavicular screw is used, then the mechanical function is improved and surgical skill requirement is reduced, but reduction loss occurs frequently and second operation for removal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static, permanent screw fixation to a dynamic, time-dependent fixation system. The resorbable screw provides strong mechanical support initially, then gradually degrades as ligament healing progresses, allowing the joint to transition from stabilized to naturally functioning without sudden failure or reduction loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the fixation device change over time as the resorbable screw degrades. The screw's strength and rigidity parameters decrease progressively during the healing period, matching the increasing strength of the healing ligament, thereby maintaining reduction stability throughout the rehabilitation process.
3Ease of operation
If traditional surgical approaches are used, then the joint can be accessed, but aesthetic impact is increased and minimally invasive approach is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical approach is segmented into minimal incisions that allow insertion of specialized instruments and the resorbable screw. Rather than a large open incision, the procedure uses small access points that minimize aesthetic impact while still enabling adequate surgical access to the acromioclavicular joint.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Acromioclavicular artificial ligament (1), comprising an elongated main body (2) made of biocompatible material, which main body (2) has a first longitudinal end (3) apt to be secured to the clavicle and a second longitudinal end (4) apt to be secured to the acromion, wherein said main body (2) also has an enlarged intermediate portion (5) having a lozenge shape and defining at least one anchoring region (50, 51) for a residual physiological ligament element.