Adjustable Arthritis Knee Implant With Magnetic Tibial Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing osteotomy procedures for treating knee osteoarthritis often result in suboptimal angle correction and are prone to complications such as nonunion and material failure, necessitating significant post-operative recovery and limiting patient activity.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an adjustable actuator with a magnetic assembly or scissor mechanism to telescopically adjust the angle of the tibia, allowing for precise alignment and minimally invasive implantation, potentially eliminating the need for bone grafts and reducing complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional osteotomy procedures are performed to correct knee angle, then bone alignment is improved, but the risk of nonunion and material failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant includes an adjustable actuator that allows dynamic adjustment of the bone angle after implantation. The actuator can be adjusted non-invasively through the skin using a magnetic field, enabling the bone alignment to be optimized over time rather than being fixed at implantation. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing precise alignment to be achieved and maintained without the risks associated with traditional fixed osteotomy procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional osteotomy with bone graft and plate fixation is performed, then bone angle correction is achieved, but recovery time and activity restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical fixation system (bone graft and plate with screws) with a magnetically actuated adjustable implant. The implant uses a magnetic field to drive the actuator mechanism, eliminating the need for extensive bone grafting and rigid plate fixation. This substitution reduces recovery time because the procedure is less invasive and does not require the bone to heal through a large graft site or withstand the rigidity of traditional plate fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows patients to adjust their own bone angle non-invasively through the skin after implantation. The magnetic actuator can be controlled externally to make adjustments without requiring surgical intervention. This self-service capability enables patients to optimize their own recovery and activity levels without being restricted by traditional post-operative protocols.
3Ease of operation
If knee replacement surgery is performed to treat severe osteoarthritis, then pain and mobility are improved, but post-operative complications and activity restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable implant provides dynamic control over bone alignment and knee mechanics, allowing optimization of mobility while avoiding the fixed nature of knee replacement. The magnetic actuator enables continuous adjustment of the bone angle to achieve optimal function, reducing the need for complete knee replacement while avoiding its associated complications and activity restrictions.
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
Enables precise angle adjustment of the tibia, promoting natural bone growth and reducing the risk of complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and activity levels without the need for extensive post-operative recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic assembly configured to adjust the length of the adjustable actuator though axial movement of the inner shaft and outer housing in relation to one another, wherein application of a moving magnetic field externally to the subject moves the magnetic assembly such that the inner shaft and the outer housing move in relation to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A system for surgical planning and assessment of spinal deformity correction is provided that has a spinal imaging system and a control unit. The spinal imaging system is configured to collect at least one digitized position of one or more vertebral bodies of a subject. The control unit is configured to receive the at least one digitized position, and calculate, based on the at least one digitized position, an optimized posture for the subject. The control unit is configured to receive one or more simulated spinal correction inputs, and based on the inputs and optimized posture, predict an optimal simulated postoperative surgical correction.