Elbow Spacer With Hinge Joint For Limb Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spacer devices for the elbow joint during two-stage treatment of infections do not allow for limb mobility and are complex to assemble and implant.
Innovation Solution
A temporary spacer device with a biologically compatible, porous material structure that includes antibiotic-releasing capabilities, allowing for articular mobility and easy assembly, comprising a reduced number of components and made from materials like metals, metallic alloys, ceramics, or plastics, with integrated pharmaceutical ingredients such as antibiotics, and a design that includes a humeral and ulnar section with articulation means for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spacer devices are used to maintain articular space during two-stage treatment, then the infection can be treated with antibiotics, but the patient cannot maintain limb mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device incorporates a hinge joint that enables dynamic movement between the humeral and ulnar sections, allowing the patient to bend and extend the elbow while the spacer remains in place. This resolves the contradiction by making the spacer device dynamic rather than static, permitting mobility during the infection treatment period.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer device is divided into separate humeral and ulnar sections connected by a hinge, allowing independent movement of each section. This segmentation enables the spacer to maintain its space-maintaining function while simultaneously allowing elbow flexion and extension movements.
2Reliability
If conventional spacer devices are used to treat elbow joint infections, then the articular portions are kept spaced, but the device assembly and implantation become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the humeral and ulnar sections are connected by a hinge that is built into the spacer itself, eliminating the need for separate articulation components. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the articular space and enabling mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the spacing between humeral and ulnar portions, enables elbow mobility, and provides a stable structure for antibiotic delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the device by eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional spacer devices are used during two-stage treatment, then infection treatment is possible, but the number of components and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device merges the humeral section, ulnar section, and hinge connection into a single integrated component rather than using separate parts. This reduction in component count simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces assembly steps, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining all necessary functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer device maintains articular space, allows for limb mobility, facilitates effective antibiotic delivery to infected areas, and is easy to assemble and implant, addressing the limitations of existing spacer devices.
Implementation Method 1
gradually releases antibiotic or another active ingredient suitable for treating the specific infection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention regards an elbow spacer device, comprising: at least one ulnar section (2), comprising a stem portion (6) extended along a substantially longitudinal axis (x-x) between a proximal end (7) and a distal end (8); at least one humeral section (3), comprising a stem portion (9) extended along a substantially longitudinal axis (y- y) between a proximal end (10) and a distal end (11), the distal end (11) of the humeral section (3) delimiting an engagement seat (4) with the proximal end (7) of the ulnar section (2); articulation means (5) between the distal end (11) of the humeral section (3) and the proximal end (7) of the ulnar section (2), positionable along an axis (z-z) that is orthogonal to the substantially longitudinal axis (y-y) of the humeral section (3). The proximal end (7) of the ulnar section (2) is engageable in the housing seat (4) with its own longitudinal axis (x-x) not orthogonal to the axis (z-z) of the articulation means (5), according to at least two opposed working positions, according to whether the spacer device is intended to be implanted in the right or left upper limb of a patient.