Glenoid Component Positioning via Inferior Glenoid Circle Center

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glenoid components in shoulder arthroplasty are susceptible to the 'rocking horse' failure mode due to unbalanced loading, leading to loosening, as they do not accurately replicate normal kinematics and positioning of the humeral component on the glenoid.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for shoulder arthroplasty that involves identifying and utilizing the inferior glenoid circle center to position a glenoid component with a spherical articulating surface, which reduces the risk of rocking horse failure by aligning the humeral component with the glenoid component's spinning point, thereby enhancing kinematic alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the glenoid component is positioned in the geometric center of the glenoid fossa using conventional methods, then the component can be easily positioned, but the loading becomes unbalanced causing rocking horse failure and loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent stabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary identification of the inferior glenoid circle center and determination of the spinning point before component positioning. This advance preparation ensures that the glenoid component is positioned at the correct location that replicates normal kinematics, preventing unbalanced loading and rocking horse failure while maintaining ease of operation through a systematic approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positioning parameter from the conventional geometric center to the inferior glenoid circle center (spinning point). This parameter change ensures that the glenoid component is positioned at the location that accurately replicates normal shoulder kinematics, resulting in balanced loading and improved component reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the glenoid articulating surface uses a larger radius of curvature than the humeral component, then translation of the humeral component is enabled, but normal kinematics are not accurately replicated leading to unbalanced loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekinematic replication accuracyVSAvoidloading balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8764836B2Circular glenoid method for shoulder arthroplasty

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A method of shoulder arthroplasty in one embodiment includes accessing a scapula, identifying an inferior glenoid circle center of the scapula, preparing a glenoid fossa of the scapula to receive a prosthesis, selecting a glenoid component, and implanting the selected glenoid component based upon the identified inferior glenoid circle center in the prepared glenoid fossa.