Curved Joint Implant Interfaces Maintain Alignment During Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for arthritis of the interphalangeal joints, such as arthroplasty and joint fusion, result in severe functional loss of movement or inefficient joint mechanics, leading to pain and degenerative processes.
Innovation Solution
A joint implant design featuring proximal and distal joint implant elements with complementary curved interface surfaces and registration features, coupled by filaments, allowing for a range of motion while preventing unwanted lateral bending and shearing, and incorporating bone interface connectors for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If joint fusion is performed to treat arthritis, then pain is relieved and joint stability is improved, but functional movement of the joint is permanently lost
Solution Approach 1:
The joint implant is divided into multiple segments (proximal joint implant element and distal joint implant element) that can move relative to each other, allowing the joint to maintain movement function while providing stability. The segmentation enables independent motion of each element, preventing complete fusion while ensuring structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint implant incorporates dynamic registration features that adapt to different positions during joint movement. The registration features maintain proper alignment and registration between implant elements throughout the range of motion, providing stability at each position while allowing continuous movement, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and motion function.
2Ease of operation
If conventional joint replacement is performed, then joint function is restored, but wear and rubbing between components leads to inefficient mechanics and accelerated degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The joint implant elements feature curved interface surfaces with complementary geometry. The curvature is designed to match the natural joint anatomy and distribute loads evenly across the interface, reducing localized stress and wear. The curved surfaces enable smooth rolling motion that minimizes friction and rubbing between components, thereby improving both joint function and component durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration features on the curved interface surfaces automatically maintain proper alignment and registration between the proximal and distal implant elements during movement. This self-aligning mechanism ensures efficient joint mechanics without requiring additional active control systems, reducing wear while maintaining reliable function throughout the range of motion.
3Reliability
If registration features are added to curved interface surfaces, then alignment and registration between implant elements is maintained through range of motion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The registration features are integrated directly into the curved interface surfaces of the implant elements, merging the alignment function with the load-bearing surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms or additional components, maintaining reliable registration throughout the range of motion while minimizing overall device complexity. The registration features are formed as part of the interface surface geometry itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint implant can include a proximal joint implant element having a proximal curved interface surface with a plurality of proximal registration features. A distal joint implant element can be rotatably coupled to the proximal joint implant element, and can have a distal curved interface with a plurality of distal registration features that are complementary to the proximal registration features such that the registration features interface together to maintain registration between the proximal and distal joint implant elements. A joint implant element connector can include a proximal pin supporting the proximal joint implant element and a distal pin supporting the distal joint implant element. At least one of the curved interface surfaces can include a protrusion that prevents rotation of the joint implant elements when the protrusion contacts the opposite curved interface surface.