Glenosphere Base Removal Tool with Cam-Actuated Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse shoulder implants often require removal or replacement due to complications such as wear, infection, or breakage, necessitating the removal of the glenosphere base, which is typically challenging and requires specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A glenosphere base removal tool with a housing, handle, pin assemblies, cam assembly, and ratchet assembly that allows for precise alignment and loosening of the glenosphere base, featuring ergonomic design and a one-way ratchet mechanism to prevent tightening torque, facilitating safe and efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized removal tool is used to remove the glenosphere base, then the removal can be performed safely without damaging the implant or surrounding bone, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple components including pin assemblies, cam assembly, and ratchet assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool is divided into distinct functional modules: a housing containing pin assemblies that engage with fastener holes, a cam assembly for positioning the pins, and a ratchet assembly for applying controlled loosening torque. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability for safe base removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assemblies act as intermediaries between the ratchet assembly and the glenosphere base fasteners. The pins engage with the fastener holes and transmit the loosening torque from the ratchet mechanism to the base, enabling controlled removal without direct contact between the surgeon's hand and the implant components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a ratchet assembly is included to prevent tightening torque, then the risk of damaging the implant or bone is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like gear wheel, pawl, and biasing member
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet assembly is designed to prevent tightening torque from being applied to the glenosphere base during the removal process. The pawl and gear wheel mechanism allows only loosening torque to pass through while blocking any tightening torque, thereby preliminarily preventing the harmful action of stripping or cracking the implant or surrounding bone structure.
3Ease of operation
If pin assemblies are spaced radially from the axis of rotation, then they can engage fastener holes of the glenosphere base effectively, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The cam assembly provides dynamic adjustment capability for the pin assemblies, allowing the radial positions of the pins to be modified during operation. This dynamic positioning system enables the pins to engage with fastener holes at various radial distances from the axis of rotation, accommodating different base configurations without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances for fixed pin positions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and efficient removal of the glenosphere base without damaging the implant or surrounding bone, reducing the risk of complications like stripping or cracking, thereby improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet assembly structured to transfer the loosening torque to the pin assemblies for unscrewing the glenosphere base
Implementation Method 2
the ratchet assembly includes a gear wheel having teeth, a pawl and a biasing member to bias the pawl against the teeth
Implementation Method 3
a cam assembly structured to adjust the radial distances of the pin assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A glenosphere base removal tool is provided. The tool includes a housing having an axis of rotation; a handle coupled to the housing for receiving a loosening torque from a user; a plurality of pin assemblies in the housing for engaging fastener holes of a glenosphere base, each of the pin assemblies extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and spaced radially from the axis of rotation by a radial distance; a cam assembly structured to adjust the radial distances of the pin assemblies; and a ratchet assembly structured to transfer the loosening torque to the pin assemblies for unscrewing the glenosphere base.