Articular Surface Implant Delivery via Articulating Feature Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for replacing damaged articular cartilage, such as abrasion arthroplasty and microfracture, face challenges with durability and accessibility, particularly in joints like the knee, hip, and shoulder, where direct access is difficult, leading to invasive procedures and prolonged recovery.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible implant with a load-bearing surface designed to replace a portion of the articular surface, featuring a tapered proximal end and grooves for securement, which can be delivered through a cooperating articulating feature system, allowing for minimally invasive installation and alignment with the articular surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture procedures are used to treat articular cartilage defects, then natural healing response is stimulated, but the resulting fibrocartilage lacks durability and cannot support long-term weight bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the repair approach by replacing biological healing stimulation with a mechanical implant solution. The implant provides immediate structural support and durable load-bearing capability, transforming the repair mechanism from biological (fibrocartilage formation) to mechanical (prosthetic replacement), thereby resolving the contradiction between stimulating healing and achieving long-term durability.
2Ease of operation
If direct access procedures are used to replace articular surface, then implant installation is straightforward, but invasive procedures are required for hard-to-reach joints like superior femoral head, medial humeral head, and glenoid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery system as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the external environment and hard-to-reach implant sites. This delivery system enables minimally invasive insertion by mediating the transfer of the implant through narrow access paths to the target location, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If large diameter lesions are treated with cartilage transplant, then defect coverage is achieved, but the procedure requires donor pegs that may exceed available capacity within the same knee joint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solution from the constraint by using an implant that can be manufactured to any required size rather than relying on donor pegs of limited availability. The implant is designed as a standalone component that can be customized to match the defect area, thereby resolving the contradiction between covering large defects and having sufficient donor material.
4Loss of time
If minimally invasive procedures are used for implant delivery, then recovery time is reduced, but precise alignment and securement of the implant become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the implant site and creating appropriate receiving structures (such as tunnels or recesses) before implant insertion. This pre-preparation ensures that when the implant is delivered minimally invasively, precise alignment is achieved through the pre-established geometric constraints, thereby resolving the contradiction between reduced recovery time and maintained alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for delivering an implant for replacing a portion of an articular surface. The method may include forming a socket in an articulating feature that is capable of moving relative to the articular surface. An implant may be placed in the socket and the articulating feature may be moved relative to the articular surface to generally align the socket with an implant site formed in the articular surface. The implant may be transferred from the socket into the implant site.