Glenosphere Flange for Augmented Fixation After Bone Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoulder replacement surgeries face effectiveness issues due to glenoid bone loss or deterioration, which reduces the efficacy of the prosthesis over time, despite the use of bone grafts.
Innovation Solution
A glenosphere with a body and a flange, and a plate with fixation members, designed to augment fixation to the shoulder bone by positioning glenosphere fixation members outside the interference space of the plate, mitigating bone loss and enhancing the prosthesis's effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a base plate and bone graft are used to join the glenosphere to the scapula, then the initial fixation is achieved, but glenoid bone loss or deterioration occurs over time, reducing the effectiveness of the shoulder replacement surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The glenosphere is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for articulation and a flange portion for fixation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, with the flange providing enhanced fixation surface area while the body maintains natural shoulder kinematics.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange extends radially outward from the body, adding a dimensional extension that creates additional fixation surface area. This radial extension in another dimension allows for improved bone contact and fixation without compromising the spherical articulation function.
2Area of stationary object
If the flange extends radially outward from the body, then the fixation surface area is increased, but the glenosphere geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is integrated as a single continuous structure merged with the glenosphere body, forming one piece without separate components. This merging approach increases fixation surface area while avoiding the complexity of multiple assembly parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange incorporates a curved outer surface that is substantially spherical, maintaining the natural curvature of the glenosphere. This spherical geometry simplifies the overall form while providing adequate fixation surface area, avoiding angular or irregular shapes that would increase complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the flange has a specific angular span less than 180 degrees, then the glenosphere maintains anatomic orientation and natural range of motion, but the fixation distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flange concentrates fixation surface area at specific locations around the glenosphere perimeter rather than uniformly distributing it. This localized quality allows for optimized fixation at critical bone contact points while preserving the anatomic orientation and range of motion of the glenosphere body.
Data Source
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.