Ball-and-Socket Elbow Arthroplasty System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elbow replacement procedures using hinge type joints suffer from significant loss of function and high failure rates, failing to adequately address the severe physical impairment caused by arthritis in the elbow.
Innovation Solution
A modular ball-and-socket system for total elbow replacement, offering standard and reverse configurations to accommodate patient- and disease-specific needs, utilizing spheroidal, ellipsoidal, or spherical components made from medical-grade materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hinge type joint replacement is used for elbow arthroplasty, then the surgical procedure can be performed with conventional methods, but the patient experiences significant loss of function and high failure rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by replacing the conventional hinge joint mechanism with a ball-and-socket joint configuration. The spherical ball component articulates within a socket to reproduce the natural spheroidal geometry of the humeroulnar joint, enabling multi-axis rotation and restoring complete range of motion while eliminating the functional limitations and high failure rates associated with hinge type replacements
2Stability of the object's composition
If standard hinge joint replacement is used, then the procedure follows conventional protocols, but post-operative stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical ball-and-socket configuration provides inherent stability through its geometric design, where the ball is contained within the socket to prevent dislocation while allowing natural elbow motion. This curved geometry distributes loads more effectively than hinge mechanisms, improving post-operative stability without requiring overly complex restraint systems
Solution Approach 2:
The joint configuration is designed to be dynamic, allowing the ball to rotate freely within the socket throughout the complete range of motion. The articulating surfaces are shaped to maintain stable contact during movement, adapting to the changing load vectors that occur during natural elbow flexion, extension, and rotation
3Ease of operation
If ball-and-socket configuration is implemented, then complete range of motion is restored, but the system requires modular components with multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The elbow replacement system is divided into modular segments including a ball component, socket component, and associated fixation elements. This segmentation allows the components to be manufactured separately with precise geometries, then assembled to form the complete ball-and-socket joint, enabling complete range of motion while managing complexity through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The modular ball-and-socket components are designed with universal features that allow them to be configured for different patient anatomies and disease conditions. The standardized ball and socket interfaces can accommodate various stem designs and fixation methods, making the system versatile for treating different elbow pathologies while maintaining complete range of motion
Data Source
AI summary
An elbow arthroplasty system having a ball and a socket. The ball is configured for coupling to at least one member of one of the following groups: (i) a humerus, and (ii) a radius, an ulna, or both of the radius and the ulna. The socket is configured for coupling to at least one member of the other of the following groups: (i) the humerus, and (ii) the radius, the ulna, or both of the radius and the ulna. The socket defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the ball. The ball may be a spheroid, an ellipsoid, a sphere, or a portion of one of the foregoing with a convex surface. The socket may be configured with a concave surface that is spheroidal, ellipsoidal, or spherical and designed to mate with the ball. An elbow arthroplasty method using a ball and a socket.