Augmented Glenoid Implant Guide for Severe Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cases of severe glenoid wear, standard glenoid implants struggle to return the shoulder joint to a near neutral version, forcing surgeons to compromise by inserting the implant at a non-ideal angle or removing significant native bone.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an augment guide block with a body, alignment members, and a handle, which includes a guide slot at an adjustable angle α, allowing for precise shaping of the glenoid to accommodate a glenoid implant, using a shaping device like a burr to augment the glenoid at the corresponding angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard glenoid implant is used, then the implantation process is simple, but the shoulder joint cannot be returned to a near neutral version in cases of severe glenoid wear
Solution Approach 1:
The glenoid implant is divided into two functional parts: a base implant and a separate augment component. The augment can be selectively added to the base implant to provide additional bone support and enable proper alignment in cases of severe wear, while the base implant alone can be used in less severe cases, maintaining surgical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic adaptability by allowing surgeons to choose between a standard glenoid implant for mild cases and an augmented glenoid implant for severe wear cases. This dynamic selection based on patient-specific needs resolves the contradiction between surgical simplicity and alignment precision.
2Productivity
If the glenoid implant is inserted at a non-ideal angle to compensate for severe wear, then the implantation can proceed without extensive bone removal, but the joint alignment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the implant into a base component and a separate augment, the system allows the augment to provide the necessary alignment correction while the base implant maintains the standard insertion protocol, preserving surgical efficiency without compromising alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If significant native bone is removed to accommodate a standard implant in severe wear cases, then the implant can be properly positioned, but excessive bone loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The augment component is designed to be pre-configured with the correct geometry and orientation to compensate for severe wear. By preparing the augment in advance with the precise configuration needed, the surgeon can attach it to the base implant before insertion, achieving proper positioning without removing significant native bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The augment acts as an intermediary component between the base implant and the damaged glenoid bone. It provides the necessary structural support and alignment correction, allowing the implant to be positioned precisely while preserving more native bone than would be required with a standard implant alone.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a glenoid implant with augment is used, then severe wear can be accommodated, but the implant structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is segmented into a base implant and a separate augment that can be selectively combined. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate severe wear when needed while maintaining the simplicity of the base implant for less severe cases, reducing overall structural complexity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for augmenting a glenoid in preparation for implantation of a glenoid implant includes an augment guide block. The augment guide block includes a body having a guide slot angularly extending from a first surface to a second surface at an angle, a plurality of alignment members extending from the first surface of the body that couple the body to the glenoid at loca-tions that correspond to locations where a central peg and a peripheral peg will couple the glenoid implant to the glenoid. The sys -tern also includes an augmenting device that is configured to be received within the slot, and that is operable to augment the glenoid at the angle, wherein the angle corresponds to a surface of the glenoid implant.