Glenoid Prosthesis Vault Occupying Portion Bone Graft Receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glenoid prostheses face challenges in implantation due to significant deterioration of subchondral and cancellous bone in the glenoid vault, particularly in cases of chronic subluxation or revision surgery, where bone stock is inadequate for proper anchoring.

Innovation Solution

A prosthesis assembly featuring a glenoid rim replacement structure with a glenoid vault-occupying portion and a bone graft receptacle, made from metallic materials like stainless steel or titanium, which facilitates biological ingrowth and includes a polymeric bearing surface, allowing for integration with bone graft material to enhance stability and anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional glenoid prosthesis is used, then the bearing surface is provided for articulation, but the prosthesis cannot be properly anchored due to significant deterioration of subchondral and cancellous bone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidbone stock adequacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into distinct functional segments: a bearing component for articulation and a separate glenoid component with a bone graft receptacle for anchoring. This segmentation allows each part to address specific problems independently - the bearing surface provides articulation while the bone graft receptacle addresses the anchoring issue by accommodating bone graft material to reinforce deteriorated bone stock.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bone graft material serves as an intermediary substance placed within the bone graft receptacle. This intermediary material bridges the gap between the prosthesis and the deteriorated native bone, providing a scaffold that promotes bone ingrowth and creates a stable anchoring interface even when the original bone stock is insufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bone graft material is used to reinforce the glenoid rim, then anchoring stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidprosthesis structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bone graft receptacle is merged with the glenoid component as an integrated structure rather than a separate implantable device. This combining approach allows the bone graft receptacle to function as both a structural element of the prosthesis and a container for bone graft material, thereby improving anchoring stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glenoid component serves multiple functions: it provides a base for the bearing surface, creates a receptacle for bone graft material, and directly interfaces with the glenoid vault. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving implant stability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2335655B1Shoulder prosthesis assembly
Publication Date: 2013.07.31 DEPUY PROD INC
  • EP2335655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2335655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2335655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A prosthesis assembly for use with a scapula includes a glenoid bearing support (32) and a bearing (34). The glenoid bearing support includes a glenoid vault-occupying portion (36) configured to occupy at least a portion of a glenoid vault of the scapula, the glenoid-vault occupying portion having a first coupling component. The glenoid bearing support further includes a glenoid rim replacement portion (38) attached to the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The bearing defines a bearing surface and has a second coupling component configured to cooperate with the first coupling component to couple the bearing to the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The glenoid vault-occupying portion defines a bearing-side end portion and an opposite-side end portion. The glenoid rim replacement portion projects outwardly from the bearing-side end portion of the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The glenoid bearing support defines a bone graft receptacle (66).