Adjustable Lateral Articulating Condyle for Elbow Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elbow prostheses are not adjustable to accommodate varying anatomies, joint laxity, and soft tissue tension, leading to the need for multiple prostheses with different sized condyle components, increasing complexity and cost during total elbow arthroplasty.
Innovation Solution
The elbow prosthesis design includes a hinge assembly with articulating condyles and a bearing member, allowing for adjustable positioning and tensioning of the condyle components relative to the humerus and ulna, using tapered bodies for secure friction fits and adhesives, and eccentric projections for rotational adjustments to ensure proper articulation and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional elbow prostheses with fixed-sized condyle components are used, then the prosthesis structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying anatomies, joint laxity, and soft tissue tension, requiring multiple prostheses with different sized condyle components
Solution Approach 1:
The condyle component is designed with a movable adjustment mechanism that allows the lateral condyle to be positioned at different distances from the medial condyle along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic adjustability enables a single prosthesis design to accommodate varying anatomical requirements, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-sized condyle components.
Solution Approach 2:
The condyle component is divided into movable segments - specifically, the lateral condyle can be independently adjusted relative to the medial condyle. This segmentation allows for customization of the distance between condyles during surgery to match individual patient anatomies while maintaining a unified prosthesis structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elbow prostheses with different sized condyle components are used to accommodate varying anatomies, then the adaptability improves, but the surgical complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single condyle component design serves multiple functions by incorporating an adjustment mechanism that allows it to adapt to different anatomical configurations. This universal design eliminates the need for surgeons to select from multiple fixed-sized condyle components, simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mechanism allows the lateral condyle to be dynamically repositioned during surgery to achieve the optimal distance from the medial condyle for each patient's anatomy. This dynamic capability replaces the need for multiple static prosthesis options, reducing surgical complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If conventional fixed condyle components are used, then the prosthesis design is straightforward, but proper articulation and support cannot be ensured for all patients due to anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism allows the lateral condyle to be repositioned to achieve proper articulation with the radius head for each patient's specific anatomy. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable articulation and support by customizing the condyle spacing, whereas fixed components cannot guarantee proper fit for all anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the lateral and medial condyles can be changed during surgery to optimize articulation and support. By adjusting this critical parameter, the prosthesis achieves reliable performance across different anatomical configurations without requiring complex multi-component systems.
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
This design enables precise adjustment and secure fixation of the condyle components, reducing the need for multiple prostheses and simplifying the surgical procedure by accommodating individual anatomical variations, thus enhancing the stability and range of motion of the elbow prosthesis.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered body to receive within a tapered cavity formed in the humerus and secured by a friction fit and adhesives
Data Source
AI summary
An elbow prosthesis (10) is provided and may include a first stem component (12) attached to one of a humerus and an ulna, a second stem component (14) attached to the other of the humerus and the ulna, and a joint (16) disposed between and coupling the first stem component and the second stem component to permit relative movement between the first stem component and the second stem component about a first axis (C). The elbow prosthesis may additionally include a condyle (60, 62) extending from the joint and including an axis of rotation (R) that is eccentric from the first axis.