Implantable Compressible Absorber for Ankle Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for osteoarthritis, particularly in the ankle joint, are invasive and have long recovery times, and there is a need for a minimally invasive solution that effectively reduces pain and maintains natural joint motion while addressing elevated contact stresses that can lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Innovation Solution
An implantable load-absorbing device with load transmission supports secured to the tibia and talus, featuring a compressible absorber that allows rotational and translational freedom, designed to offload compressive loads and reduce contact stresses, thereby alleviating pain and promoting healthy joint function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical interventions (arthrodesis or total joint replacement) are used to treat osteoarthritis, then pain relief is achieved, but recovery time is long and invasiveness is high
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the load transmission path by placing separate support elements on the tibia and talus bones with an absorber between them, rather than replacing the entire joint. This partial intervention approach reduces surgical invasiveness and recovery time while still providing effective pain relief through load absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible absorber acts as an intermediary element between the tibia and talus, mediating the load transmission. This intermediary absorbs excess compressive forces and reduces contact stresses on the articular cartilage, providing pain relief without requiring complete joint replacement or fusion.
2Reliability
If traditional surgical interventions are used to treat osteoarthritis, then pain relief is achieved, but the procedure is highly invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses separate, modular support elements that can be independently positioned on the tibia and talus, reducing the complexity of the surgical procedure compared to total joint replacement. The segmented design allows for less invasive implantation while maintaining effective load absorption and pain relief.
3Reliability
If load-absorbing device is implanted to reduce compressive load on ankle joint, then contact stresses are reduced and pain is alleviated, but device must allow natural ankle motion while absorbing load
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to compress and rebound during the ankle joint's natural range of motion. This dynamic behavior enables the device to absorb load during weight-bearing phases while permitting natural dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements, maintaining adaptability to normal ankle function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device parameters (absorber stiffness, support element positioning) are optimized to change the load transmission characteristics without restricting motion. The compressible absorber modifies the mechanical parameters of load transmission while maintaining the anatomical range of motion through appropriate design of the support elements and absorber properties.
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
The device effectively reduces pain and maintains natural ankle motion by absorbing a portion of the compressive load, potentially preventing the onset of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
An implantable compressible absorber is secured to the first support and the second support. The absorber is configured to off load at least a portion of a compressive load normally experienced by the natural ankle joint.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human ankle joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis and pain of the ankle without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the ankle joint. In one particular embodiment, the device includes a first load transmission support, a second load transmission support and an implantable compressible absorber.