Captured Ball Shoulder Implant for Dislocation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder joint implants face challenges such as dislocation, loosening of the glenoid component, and inadequate support for the glenoid area due to bone deficit, which limits the natural range of motion and stability, especially in cases with compromised rotator cuff structures.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder joint implant with a captured ball coupling mechanism featuring a humeral component with a universal joint connection and a glenoid component with a closable cup that provides multi-point fixation through elongate mounting arms to the scapular bone, enhancing stability and range of motion by restoring the center of rotation and reducing the likelihood of dislocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional glenoid component with a shallow cup is used, then the implant can be simple in structure, but the shoulder joint is prone to dislocation and the natural range of motion is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The glenoid cup is nested within a closable glenoid component housing, creating a captured ball mechanism where the humeral head is enclosed by the glenoid cup. This nesting structure prevents dislocation while maintaining a relatively simple overall design by integrating multiple functions into a compact nested arrangement.
2Reliability
If a metal shell holding the cup is mounted to the glenoid area, then the cup can be secured, but loosening occurs due to compromise of mounting to the thin and fragile scapular bone
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arms extend from the glenoid component in directions away from the glenoid cavity, distributing fixation points across a larger spatial volume. This dimensional distribution allows attachment to more robust bone structures beyond the immediate glenoid area, improving fixation stability without compromising the fragile glenoid bone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reverse shoulder implant with ball head on glenoid component is used, then an alternative configuration is provided, but dislocation and glenoid component loosening still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The captured ball mechanism with the glenoid cup nested within the closable glenoid component housing effectively prevents dislocation in reverse shoulder configurations. The humeral head is captured within the glenoid cup, eliminating the dislocation problems that plague conventional reverse shoulder implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arms extend in multiple directions to provide multi-point fixation, distributing mechanical loads across a broader spatial distribution. This dimensional approach improves fixation stability and prevents loosening, addressing the primary failure mode of reverse shoulder implants.
4Reliability
If the glenoid area supporting bone is compromised, then conventional mounting methods fail, but the thin and fragile scapular bone cannot support traditional fixation methods
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arms extend from the glenoid component in directions that allow attachment to bone structures beyond the compromised glenoid area. By distributing fixation points in multiple spatial dimensions, the system can anchor to more robust bone structures, compensating for the limited and compromised glenoid supporting bone area.
Data Source
AI summary
Captured element shoulder joint implant may be configured with a captured humeral ball; in a reverse shoulder configuration; to have a barrel- or disc-like humeral head to recessed glenoid articulation; and so forth. Multi-point fixation glenoid component may be provided. A humeral implant may have a universal joint connection, which can be mounted to or in a humeral bone and provide for a center of movement generally within a volume defined by an upper head of a normal humerus.