Anatomically Shaped Knee Augment for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee joint augments do not conform to the anatomical shape of the tibia, leading to improper load distribution, potential implant damage, misalignment issues, and inefficiencies in production, requiring multiple types for left and right knees.
Innovation Solution
A knee joint augment with an anatomical shape featuring a curved outer surface that conforms to the tibia's shape, preventing force concentration on one side, facilitating alignment checks, and allowing symmetrical use for both knees with only two types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional augment with a straight line side surface is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the augment does not conform to the anatomical shape of the tibia and causes improper load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the straight line side surface with a curved surface that has an outwardly convex intermediate line. This curved configuration mimics the natural anatomical shape of the tibia, allowing the augment to conform properly to the bone's contour while distributing loads more evenly across the interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of augments are produced for left and right knees, then the fit for each specific knee is optimized, but the production complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a symmetrical augment where the left and right sides are mirror images of each other. This allows a single augment design to be used for both left and right knees, eliminating the need to manufacture and inventory separate left-specific and right-specific augment types while maintaining proper anatomical fit for both sides.
3Reliability
If the augment shape does not match the bone shape, then the manufacturing and installation process is simpler, but the load distribution becomes abnormal and implant life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the augment's surface geometry locally matches the bone's surface geometry through the curved configuration with outwardly convex intermediate line. This local anatomical conformity at the interface ensures proper stress distribution and load transfer between the augment and bone, preventing stress concentrations that would lead to implant failure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a knee joint augment having an anatomical shape. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a knee joint augment that is used for artificial joint replacement to replace lost bone, wherein the augment is used in artificial knee replacement surgery to be coupled to a knee implant. The augment includes a top surface configured to be brought into contact with a distal surface of a base plate that forms the body of a tibia element and a bottom surface configured to be brought into contact with a cut surface of a tibia. The bottom surface has an area smaller than that of the top surface, and has a tapered shape that narrows from the top to the bottom. An intermediate line at which one end surface cut to be perpendicular to the top surface and an outer surface meet each other has a shape that is outwardly convex to the outside of the augment with respect to a straight line connecting a top point where the intermediate line and the top surface meet and a bottom point where the intermediate line meets the bottom surface, whereby the intermediate line has a shape corresponding to the anatomical shape of a cut bone.