Conical Patellar Implant Fixation With Minimal Bone Resection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patellar implants face challenges due to simple planar bone interfacing geometries, leading to improper sizing, increased risk of detachment, and complications from onlay or inlay techniques, which can weaken the resected patella or result in jagged bone fragments.

Innovation Solution

A patellar implant with a conically shaped anterior surface and a posterior articulating surface, featuring a porous layer and a solid layer, designed to securely attach to resected patellar bone, minimizing bone removal and ensuring uniform thickness and improved fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple planar bone interfacing geometries are used, then manufacturing is easier, but fixation strength and reliability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfixation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a conical (curved) geometry to the bone interfacing surface of the patellar implant, replacing the conventional planar flat surface. This conical shape allows the implant to be pressed into a corresponding conical recess in the patella, creating tapered mechanical interlocking that significantly enhances fixation strength and prevents detachment, while still being manufacturable using standard techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If onlay technique with fixation posts is used, then fixation strength is improved, but bone removal increases and patella is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidpatella strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional onlay approach by placing the conical fixation feature on the implant itself rather than creating posts in the bone. The implant contains a conical recess that receives the patellar bone, creating an inlay-style fixation without requiring extensive bone removal or separate fixation posts, thus preserving patellar strength while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of substance

If inlay technique is used, then bone removal is reduced, but fixation depth and security are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone removalVSAvoidfixation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a conical (curved) geometry for the bone interfacing surface, creating a tapered shape that enables deep embedding of the implant into the patella. This conical design allows the implant to be securely pressed into a matching conical recess, achieving superior fixation depth and security while minimizing bone removal compared to conventional planar inlay techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Reliability

If varying thickness is desired for stress distribution, then implant performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress distributionVSAvoidimplant complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements varying thickness in the implant body, with greater thickness in regions corresponding to high mechanical stress areas and reduced thickness where bone preservation is prioritized. This non-uniform thickness distribution optimizes stress management and structural performance while the overall conical geometry maintains manufacturability through standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12533239B2Conical patella resurfacing
Publication Date: 2026.01.27 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP
  • US12533239B2 patent drawing
  • US12533239B2 patent drawing
  • US12533239B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed herein are patellar implants and methods to prepare bone for receiving the same. The patellar implant may include an articulating surface and an anterior surface with a non-planar surface to engage with a resected patella. The non-planar surface may include a conically shaped portion to receive the resected patellar bone. A method for resurfacing a patella to implant a patellar implant having a recessed anterior surface may include the steps of determining the minimum implant and resection depth, medial and lateral patellar slope angles to select and resect with a symmetrical reamer.