Reverse Shoulder Glenoid Trial Implant With Intraoperative Center Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for selecting the appropriate glenoid implant for reverse total shoulder replacement are costly, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the need for expensive preoperative planning software and the inability to account for all variables in the articulation between the humerus and glenoid, leading to unsuitable implants being sterilized and wasted.

Innovation Solution

A glenoid trial implant system that allows surgeons to test and adjust the center of rotation during surgery using a set of trial implants with varying configurations, eliminating the need for preoperative planning software by ensuring the correct glenoid implant is selected before opening sterile packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If preoperative planning software is used to select the glenoid implant, then the selection accuracy is improved, but the cost and complexity of the procedure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant selection accuracyVSAvoidplanning software complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses physical trial implants with different configurations (different glenosphere diameters and metaglene thicknesses) as tangible copies to represent various implant options. These physical models allow direct comparison and selection without requiring complex planning software, thereby maintaining selection accuracy while reducing technological complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If preoperative planning software is used to select the glenoid implant, then the selection accuracy is improved, but the preoperative time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant selection accuracyVSAvoidpreoperative time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trial implants are prepared in advance with different configurations (glenosphere diameters of 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and various metaglene thicknesses) so that during surgery, the surgeon can directly select the appropriate implant without time-consuming preoperative planning. The preliminary preparation of multiple trial options enables rapid intraoperative decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the wrong glenoid implant is selected and sterilized, then the surgical process is simplified, but the implant is wasted and cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical process simplicityVSAvoidimplant waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs trial implants that are designed to be temporary and disposable during the selection process. These trial implants can be sterilized and disposed of after use, eliminating the risk of wasting expensive definitive implants. The trial implants serve their purpose of enabling correct selection, after which they are discarded rather than reused.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple trial implants with different configurations are provided, then the ability to find the optimal implant is improved, but the complexity of the trial implant system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant configuration optionsVSAvoidtrial implant system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trial implant system is segmented into two independent variable components: the glenosphere (with different diameters: 28mm, 32mm, 36mm) and the metaglene (with different thicknesses). This segmentation allows the surgeon to independently adjust each parameter to match the patient's anatomical requirements, providing comprehensive adaptability while maintaining a systematic and organized approach that does not excessively increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4056154B1Glenoid trial implant for a total reverse shoulder prosthesis
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 FX SHOULDER SOLUTIONS
  • EP4056154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4056154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a glenoid trial implant (1) for reverse total shoulder prosthesis comprising a metaglene (3) intended to be assembled in a stabilized and provisional manner within the glenoid cavity of a patient to be operated on, and a glenosphere assembled securely to the metaglene (3).