Glenoid Implant Anchorage with Dual Coupling Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glenoid implants lack the flexibility to easily convert between anatomic and reversed configurations, and often require additional bone grafts, with insufficient attachment to the scapula, leading to challenges in surgical procedures and patient-specific bone morphologies.

Innovation Solution

A set of glenoid implants featuring an anatomic and reversed articulating member, along with an anchorage member that can be axially introduced into the glenoid and coupled with either configuration using distinct features, and a spacer and bone graft system for enhanced stability and bone integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single anchorage member is used for both anatomic and reversed configurations, then device complexity is reduced and surgical flexibility is improved, but the attachment reliability between the articulating member and glenoid may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical flexibilityVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchorage member is designed with dual functionality to accommodate both anatomic and reversed shoulder prosthesis configurations. The inner bore contains two distinct coupling features: a first feature (e.g., corrugated hole with peg) for anatomic configuration and a second feature (e.g., threaded hole with screw) for reversed configuration. This allows a single anchorage member to serve multiple surgical purposes, eliminating the need for separate anchorage members for each configuration type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct features within the inner bore of the anchorage member. The first coupling feature and second coupling feature are spatially separated and structurally differentiated, allowing independent engagement with respective articulating members. This segmentation enables reliable attachment for each configuration type while maintaining a unified anchorage structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the anchorage member is introduced axially into the glenoid before coupling, then ease of operation during surgery is improved, but the risk of dissociation between articulating parts may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implantationVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchorage member is pre-introduced axially into the glenoid cavity through the inner bore before coupling with the articulating member. This preliminary positioning establishes a secure foundation in the glenoid bone, and subsequent coupling of the articulating member to the pre-positioned anchorage member ensures stable attachment, reducing the risk of dissociation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If bone grafts are incorporated into the glenoid implant, then adaptability to patient-specific bone loss is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bone lossVSAvoidimplant structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A spacer acts as an intermediary component that facilitates bone graft incorporation. The spacer is positioned within the inner bore of the anchorage member, creating a structured space for bone graft material. This intermediary element simplifies the integration of bone grafts by providing a defined receptacle, rather than requiring complex modifications to the anchorage member itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11464645B2Set for a glenoid implant

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 TORNIER SA SAINT ISMIER

AI summary

This set comprising:an anatomic articulating member, having a concave articulating surface intended to articulate with a complementary humeral implant and having an anatomic coupling feature,a reversed articulating member, having a convex articulating surface intended to articulate with a complementary humeral implant and having a reversed coupling feature that is shaped differently from the anatomic coupling feature, andan anchorage member intended to be anchored in a human glenoid, the anchorage member including a body which defines a proximodistal axis and has inner bore extending along the proximodistal axis, the body being provided within the inner bore with both an inner first feature that is designed to cooperate with the anatomic coupling feature when the anatomic coupling feature is introduced within the inner bore, so as to fixedly couple the anchorage member with the anatomic articulating member, and an inner second feature that is designed to cooperate with the reversed coupling feature when the reversed coupling feature is introduced within the inner bore, so as to fixedly couple the anchorage member with the reversed articulating member, the first feature and the second feature being distinct from each other.The body is operable to be axially introduced into the glenoid before being coupled indifferently with one or the other of the anatomic and reversed articulating members.