Adjustable Ankle Prosthesis Intermediate Implant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ankle prostheses either lack sufficient constraint to accommodate anatomical variability, leading to subluxation or fracture, or provide excessive constraint, resulting in abnormal loading and wear, making them unsuitable for a broad range of patients with varying anatomical conditions.

Innovation Solution

An ankle prosthesis design that combines the advantages of mobile-bearing and semi-constrained designs by allowing adjustable positioning of the intermediate implant relative to the tibial implant, with an implant lock mechanism to secure the components, enabling adaptation to individual anatomy and facilitating replacement when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile-bearing design is used to accommodate anatomical variability, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to subluxation or fracture risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to anatomical variabilityVSAvoidrisk of subluxation or fracture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate implant is designed with rotational capability relative to the tibial implant, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to anatomical variations while maintaining stable connection. The projecting member can rotate within the recess to accommodate malalignment without compromising the stability of the bone-implant interfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a semi-constrained design is used to provide stability, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to abnormal loading and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of the prosthesisVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate implant provides rotational freedom relative to the tibial implant while maintaining stable connections to both the tibia and talus. This dynamic capability allows the prosthesis to adapt to various anatomical configurations and surgical placements without creating abnormal loading patterns, thereby maintaining both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If fixed bearing design is used to constrain the intermediate implant, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to adjust for malalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of the prosthesisVSAvoidadjustability during surgery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate implant is designed with a projecting member that can rotate within a recess of the tibial implant, providing intraoperative adjustability for malalignment. After positioning, the implant can be secured to maintain the desired configuration. This dynamic design allows surgeons to optimize alignment during surgery while ensuring stable long-term fixation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3512468B1Ankle prosthesis

Publication Date: 2024.10.09 DT MEDTECH LLC

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AI summary

The present disclosure pertains to ankle prostheses. In an example embodiment, the ankle prosthesis comprises an adjustable and replaceable intermediate implant that is disposed between a tibial implant and a talar implant. The intermediate implant is adjustable relative to the tibial implant and can be interlocked therewith once adjusted. Methods of using, fitting, and adjusting the device are also described. Still other embodiments are described.