Ankle Prosthesis In Vivo Adjustment Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ankle prostheses face limitations in adaptability to individual anatomy, leading to mechanical stresses, discomfort, and premature wear, with current adjustment methods being cumbersome and requiring multiple test implants, increasing surgical time and trauma.

Innovation Solution

An ankle prosthesis with a talar, tibial, and intermediate implant, featuring embedded adjustment means that allow for independent movement in multiple degrees of freedom, controlled post-implantation to achieve a neutral configuration, minimizing stress and optimizing comfort, and eliminating the need for pre-implantation testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the intermediate implant is held stationary against the tibial implant, then the prosthesis stability is improved, but mechanical stresses increase causing premature wear and patient discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis stabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate implant is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to transition between stationary and mobile states. The adjustment means enable the implant to adapt its configuration based on functional requirements, optimizing both stability and stress distribution during different phases of movement and loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment means are provided to modify the assembly configuration, then the adaptability to patient anatomy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to patient anatomyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment means are integrated directly into the intermediate implant structure, merging the adjustment functionality with the implant itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate adjustment devices or multiple test implants, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full adaptability to patient anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate implant incorporates self-contained adjustment means that enable modification of its own assembly configuration. The implant can be adjusted in vivo without requiring external adjustment devices or additional surgical interventions, making the system self-sufficient and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If prior test prostheses are used for measurements, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the surgical time and patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment means are pre-integrated into the intermediate implant design, allowing all necessary configuration adjustments to be made during the primary implantation surgery. This eliminates the need for preliminary test prostheses and subsequent adjustment surgeries, consolidating all configuration work into a single surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stress or pressure

If the intermediate implant is allowed considerable freedom of movement, then the mechanical stress is reduced, but the prosthesis stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stressVSAvoidprosthesis stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20220133486A1Ankle prosthesis with simplified adjustment

Publication Date: 2022.05.05 EURON FOOT PLATFORM

AI summary

The invention relates to an ankle prosthesis including a talar implant, a tibial implant, and an intermediate implant designed to be mounted to move relative to said talar implant in order to impart mobility to the ankle, said prosthesis further including embedded adjustment structure designed to alternate between a releasing state, in which they allow the intermediate implant to move relative to the tibial implant, and a locking state, in which they hold the prosthesis in the chosen assembly configuration, said prosthesis being characterized in that said adjustment structure can be controlled to be operable while the prosthesis is in the assembled state in vivo.