Glenosphere Flange Augmented Fixation Bone Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shoulder replacement surgeries face effectiveness reduction due to glenoid bone loss and deterioration, despite the use of bone grafts, as existing solutions fail to adequately address the stress and stability issues in the shoulder joint.

Innovation Solution

A glenosphere with a body and flange design that includes a central axis, a convex second surface, and a plurality of channels for receiving fixation members, allowing for augmented fixation to the shoulder bone, thereby mitigating bone loss and improving the stability and range of motion of the shoulder prosthesis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a bone graft is used to facilitate joining the base plate and glenosphere to the scapula, then the initial fixation is improved, but glenoid bone loss or deterioration may still occur over time, reducing the long-term effectiveness of the shoulder replacement surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial fixation strengthVSAvoidlong-term effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The glenosphere is divided into two functional parts: the body (for articulation) and the flange (for fixation). This segmentation allows the fixation function to be separated from the articulation function, enabling augmented fixation through the flange while maintaining natural shoulder movement through the body, thereby addressing both initial fixation strength and long-term reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flange extends radially outward from the body in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, adding a dimensional element for augmented fixation. This radial extension creates additional surface area and geometric interlocking capability with the scapula, providing enhanced mechanical stability beyond what a traditional spherical glenosphere could achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the flange extends radially outward with an angle less than 180 degrees, then the fixation stability is improved through augmented contact with the scapula, but the device complexity increases compared to a traditional spherical glenosphere

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidglenosphere structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is integrally formed with the body of the glenosphere as a single piece, merging the fixation function (flange) with the articulation function (body). This integration eliminates the need for separate fixation components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced fixation stability through the combined structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9782263B1Glenosphere with flange for augmented fixation and related methods

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 ENCORE MEDICAL L P (D B A DJO SURGICAL)

AI summary

A glenosphere includes a body and a flange. The body includes a first body surface and a spherical second body surface, and includes an engagement feature to engage with an attachment structure attachable to a bone. The flange extends radially outward from the body and includes a first flange surface contiguous with a first body surface and a second flange surface contiguous with the second body surface. The flange has a flange length extending from a first end and a second end such that an angle defined by a first line from a center of the body to the first end and a second line from the center of the body to the second end is less than 180 degrees.