Augment Slot and Through-Bore Connection for Knee Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augment systems for knee replacement surgery are limited by geometry, leading to prolonged procedure times and inadequate connection to joint prostheses, particularly in cases with condylar defects, where bone loss and disease progression complicate the fitting and anchoring of implants.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic system featuring an augment with a recessed slot and through-bore for sliding connection and a fastener with a rotatable head, allowing for secure attachment to a femoral prosthesis, facilitating efficient alignment and anchoring, and enabling easy adjustment of augment thickness to accommodate varying bone conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current augment connection means are used, then the augment can be attached to the joint prosthesis, but the procedure time is extended and the connection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct components: a coupling component with a head and body, a fastener with head and shaft, and an augment with receiving features. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where each component performs a specific function, reducing manipulation time while ensuring reliable connection through the progressive engagement of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling component is pre-positioned in the coupling bore of the joint prosthesis before the augment is attached. The receiving features (recessed slot and through-bore) are pre-formed in the augment, allowing the fastener to be directly inserted and secured without additional alignment steps, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining connection strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If current augment connection means are used, then the augment can be attached to the joint prosthesis, but the manipulation is too time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the augment into the prosthesis and then attempting to secure it, the coupling component is first placed in the coupling bore, and the augment is designed with receiving features that accept the fastener. This inverted approach simplifies manipulation by allowing direct insertion and securing in a single straightforward motion, reducing assembly time.
3Reliability
If current augment connection means are used, then the augment can be attached to the joint prosthesis, but the connection is not sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism concentrates anchoring strength at specific locations: the coupling component fits precisely in the coupling bore, the fastener engages the through-bore with threaded engagement, and the recessed slot provides lateral constraint. This localized quality approach ensures strong anchoring at critical points without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic system includes an augment that includes a proximal surface and a distal surface, a recessed slot extending along the distal surface, and a through-bore extending between the proximal and distal surfaces and intersecting the slot. The system also includes a coupling component that includes a head and a body. The head has an aperture and is configured to be slidingly received by the recessed slot wherein, when the head is received within the recessed slot, the aperture aligns with the through-bore. The system further includes a femoral prosthesis that has an articular side that defines condylar portions and a bone facing side opposite the articular side. The bone facing side defines a coupling bore. The coupling bore is configured to receive the body of the coupling component for connection thereto.