Adjustable Orthopedic Provisional Component for In Vivo Geometry Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthopedic surgery methods require multiple provisional components to achieve an optimal fit during procedures like total hip arthroplasty, leading to increased surgery time, potential infection risk, and logistical challenges due to the need for multiple component exchanges.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable provisional component with a robotic control mechanism that allows in vivo adjustment of geometric parameters such as leg length, lateral offset, and version angle, controlled by a computer system to determine the proper geometry for a final permanent implant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple provisional components are used to achieve optimal fit, then geometric parameter selection flexibility is improved, but surgery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometric parameter selection flexibilityVSAvoidsurgery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The provisional component incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow geometric parameters (leg length, lateral offset, version angle) to be modified in vivo after implantation. This dynamic adjustability eliminates the need to exchange multiple static provisional components, thereby maintaining geometric parameter flexibility while reducing surgery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple provisional components are exchanged during surgery, then optimal geometric fit is achieved, but infection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometric fit precisionVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable provisional component allows surgeons to achieve optimal geometric fit by modifying parameters in vivo rather than exchanging multiple components. This reduces the number of times the surgical site is exposed and foreign objects are introduced, thereby minimizing infection risk while maintaining precision in achieving the desired geometric fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple provisional components are handled during surgery, then geometric parameter testing is improved, but logistical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometric parameter testing capabilityVSAvoidlogistical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisional component is designed as a universal platform that can test multiple geometric parameters (leg length, lateral offset, version angle) through integrated adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, simplifying logistics while maintaining comprehensive parameter testing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If in vivo adjustment capability is added to provisional component, then surgery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgery efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisional component incorporates mechanical adjustment mechanisms (such as threaded rods, cam mechanisms, or modular segments) that enable in vivo modification of geometric parameters. These mechanisms, while adding some structural complexity, provide significant surgery efficiency gains by eliminating component exchanges and enabling real-time optimization of implant geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9216086B2Adjustable provisional component of a medical device

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 ZIMMER INC

AI summary

An adjustable provisional component for an implantable medical device comprises a first portion mountable to a first part of a patient, and a second portion coupled to the first portion, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is adjustable to select a value of a first geometric parameter of the adjustable provisional component.