Annular Spring Glenosphere for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humeral implants fail to accommodate patients with inadequate skeletal structure during impact situations, as they do not permit relative movement or absorption of impact energy, which is often off-axis and complex in loading parameters.
Innovation Solution
A modular reverse shoulder prosthetic system featuring a glenoid tray with a bearing mounting surface and an annular spring member that couples with a glenosphere, allowing for translation and absorption of impact forces, and is configured to be implanted into a resected glenoid with a coupling taper and spring member to support proper articulation dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional humeral implants are used, then the implant structure is simple and rigid, but the implant cannot absorb impact energy or permit relative movement during impact situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (spring member) into the otherwise rigid implant structure. The spring member allows relative movement between the glenosphere and the humeral implant during impact, enabling energy absorption while maintaining structural integrity. This transforms the static, rigid connection into a dynamic system that can adapt to impact forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is pre-installed within the humeral implant structure, providing built-in cushioning capability before impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning mechanism is designed to activate during impact situations, absorbing energy through controlled deformation and permitting relative movement between components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid implants are used, then the implant provides structural stability, but it cannot accommodate off-axis impact loads or complex loading parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member creates a dynamic interface between the glenosphere and humeral implant, allowing the structure to adapt to varying load directions and magnitudes. During off-axis impacts or complex loading, the spring can deform in multiple directions, accommodating diverse impact scenarios while maintaining overall structural stability through the rigid humeral implant framework.
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 solution enables the prosthetic to effectively absorb and distribute impact loads, providing improved articulation and stability for patients with inadequate skeletal structure, enhancing the functionality of humeral implants during impact situations.
Implementation Method 1
An annular spring member is provided within the bearing coupling member and is configured to absorb impacts or forces applied to the glenosphere
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional view of the shoulder system (29) according to the present teachings. The system utilizes the glenoid coupling member or glenoid tray (20) to couple a shoulder bearing (23) to the prepared glenoid. Disposed within the glenoid tray is the shoulder bearing having a mounting interface surface (24) and concave bearing surface (25). The concave bearing surface is configured to interface with the articulating surface of a humeral prosthetic (27). The mounting interface surface can have an intermediate depending piston (26). The intermediate depending piston can be fixed to mounting interface surface or, as described below, to the glenoid tray. Operably disposed between the shoulder bearing and the glenoid tray is an annular spring member (35). The spring member functions to couple the bearing to the glenoid tray. In this regard, the spring member functions to limit or constrain movement of the shoulder bearing with respect to the glenoid tray. Additionally, the spring member functions to absorb impacts or forces applied onto the bearing surface. The annular spring member has a first end fixably coupled to an aperture (28) formed within the glenoid tray. At its second end, the spring member is fixably coupled to an aperture (30) formed on the interface side of the bearing.