Arthrodesis Implant with Deformable Anchoring Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arthrodesis implants for bone fusion in phalanges often fail to adapt to the varying hardness and flexibility of individual bones, leading to pain, increased therapy duration, risk of dislocation, and reduced longevity due to inadequate material properties, and are difficult to place accurately.

Innovation Solution

An arthrodesis implant with a rigid anchoring body for one bone and a deformable portion with anchoring arms for the other, designed to adapt to different bone properties, along with a gripping instrument for secure placement, ensuring reliable and versatile anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-material integral implant is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different bone hardnesses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidadaptability to different bone hardnesses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The implant applies local quality by using different materials for different portions: the anchoring body in the first bone uses a first material with specific mechanical properties, while the anchoring arms in the second bone use a second material with different mechanical properties. This allows each portion to be optimally adapted to the specific hardness and characteristics of the respective bone, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability to varying bone conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The implant employs composite materials by combining at least two different materials in a single integral structure. The first material for the anchoring body and the second material for the anchoring arms create a composite construction that leverages the advantages of each material for its specific function, enabling the implant to adapt to different bone hardnesses while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the implant material is too rigid, then strength is improved, but harm to the bone increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant strengthVSAvoiddamage to bone

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant uses local quality to address the rigidity-harm contradiction by assigning different material properties to different portions. The anchoring body uses a first material with higher strength for anchoring in the first bone, while the anchoring arms use a second material with more favorable mechanical properties that reduce harm to the second bone. This localized differentiation allows the implant to be strong where needed while minimizing damage risk in sensitive areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the implant material is too flexible, then adaptability to bone is improved, but reliability decreases due to dislocation risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to boneVSAvoidrisk of dislocation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The implant applies local quality by using a first material with higher rigidity for the anchoring body to ensure reliable anchoring and prevent dislocation in the first bone, while using a second material with greater flexibility for the anchoring arms to adapt to the specific geometry and hardness of the second bone. This spatial differentiation of material properties simultaneously achieves both reliability and adaptability without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 implant effectively promotes bone fusion while minimizing pain and risk, facilitating rapid and accurate placement, reducing the need for additional surgeries, and enhancing the implant's longevity by adapting to the unique mechanical and morphological characteristics of each bone.

Implementation Method 1

the anchoring arms being separated from each other by a free space so as to be able to be brought closer to each other by deformation of said anchoring arms under the action of the second bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10772734B2Arthrodesis implant and instrument for gripping such an implant

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 CONMED CORP

AI summary

An arthrodesis implant (1) allowing promoting the bone fusion of two bones is provided, the implant (1) comprising: a rigid and non-deformable anchoring body (4), designed to ensure the anchoring of the implant (1) in a first bone (2), and a deformable portion (5) designed to ensure the anchoring of the implant (1) in a second bone. The deformable portion (5) comprises at least two anchoring arms (9, 10) which protrude beyond the anchoring body (4) from the base end (7) of the anchoring body (4), the anchoring arms (9, 10) being separated from each other by a free space (E) so as to be able to be brought closer to each other by deformation of the anchoring arms under the action of the second bone. At least one of the anchoring arms (9, 10) is provided with a longitudinal reinforcing fin protruding beyond the anchoring arm (9, 10) from a lateral side (20) of the anchoring arm (9, 10).