Expandable Proximal Reamer for Hip Arthroplasty

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hip arthroplasty procedures face challenges with instability, particularly dislocation, due to complex biomechanics and significant bone loss during revision procedures, which require numerous modular components and complex alignment techniques.

Innovation Solution

The development of expandable reamers for long bone cavities, including distal and proximal reamers with adjustable diameters and a pilot shaft, allows for precise bone preparation with fewer components, improving stability and reducing the complexity of alignment during hip arthroplasty.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modular components and complex alignment techniques are used to address bone loss and instability in revision hip arthroplasty, then adaptability to varying patient anatomy is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying patient anatomyVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment techniques

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer incorporates an expandable body that can dynamically adjust its diameter during the reaming process. This allows a single device to adapt to different bone cavity sizes and patient anatomies, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size reamers and reducing surgical complexity while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modular components are used to accommodate range of patient arthropathy metrics, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and inventory complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of biomechanic optionsVSAvoidnumber of modular components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable reamer is designed as a universal device that can accommodate a wide range of bone cavity diameters through its adjustable expansion mechanism. This multi-functional design allows a single reamer to replace multiple fixed-size reamers, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to address diverse patient arthropathy metrics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional fixed-diameter reamers are used for bone preparation, then device simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and adaptability to varying bone cavity sizes decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of reamer designVSAvoidprecision of bone preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer features a dynamically adjustable diameter controlled by an actuator mechanism that allows precise control of the cutting surface size. This enables accurate bone preparation matching the specific patient's anatomy while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure based on a single expandable body design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8632546B2Expandable proximal reamer

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A reamer for reaming a portion of a long bone cavity for use in implanting a joint prosthesis. The reamer is used in cooperation with a portion of an orthopaedic implant component and includes an expandable body that is adapted to adjust between a plurality of diameters. A plurality of cutting edges are also included and extend outwardly from the body, the edges adapted for cooperation with bone, and the cutting edges expanding as the expandable body expands.