Glenosphere Positioning Device for Shoulder Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in shoulder surgery is the proper placement of the glenosphere implant, which can impact arm movement and often requires premature revision surgery due to improper positioning.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific glenosphere-implant positioning device with a C-shaped coupling body and guide pin system that allows for precise alignment and secure attachment of the glenosphere to the baseplate, utilizing a sliding joint and impactor tool interface for accurate implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional glenosphere placement methods are used, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to improper placement
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is divided into multiple functional components: a patient-specific baseplate that interfaces with the glenoid bone, a vertical pin that provides reference alignment, a coupling body that interfaces with the glenosphere, and a guide mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system accuracy without requiring a single complex monolithic device.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseplate is pre-customized for each patient based on their specific anatomy and preoperative planning, allowing the surgeon to establish a precise reference framework before the actual glenosphere placement. The guide pin is also pre-positioned to define the desired orientation, enabling accurate placement without complex intraoperative adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed rigid positioning device is used, then the orientation control is better, but the adaptability to patient-specific anatomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The baseplate is customized with patient-specific anatomical features and contact surfaces that match the individual patient's glenoid geometry. This local customization allows the device to adapt perfectly to each patient's anatomy while maintaining precise control over the glenosphere orientation through the standardized guide pin and coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Patient-specific instrumentation is performed in the preoperative planning phase, where the baseplate design is tailored to each patient's anatomy based on imaging data. This preliminary customization enables the device to naturally adapt to patient-specific variations while maintaining consistent orientation control across different patients through the standardized guide and coupling system.
3Reliability
If manual glenosphere positioning is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the positioning reliability deteriorates requiring revision surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body features a spherical interface that mates with the glenosphere's spherical surface, allowing the device to reliably capture and maintain the desired orientation regardless of small variations in glenosphere positioning. The guide pin with its spherical head provides a stable rotational reference point, ensuring consistent orientation control throughout the implantation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin acts as an intermediary element that transfers the orientation information from the pre-planned reference frame to the glenosphere placement. The coupling body serves as another intermediary that interfaces between the guide pin and the glenosphere, ensuring accurate transmission of positional and orientational data while providing a stable mechanical connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A glenosphere-implant positioning device comprises a coupling body having a first portion adapted to contact a spherical portion of a glenosphere implant, and a second portion adapted to contact an underside portion of the glenosphere implant, such that the coupling body is configured to be releasably coupled to a glenosphere implant in a known manner. A guide is connected to the coupling body and is configured to be slidingly engaged to a guide pin representative of a desired implanting orientation of the glenosphere implant or to a periphery of an implanted baseplate. A method for installing a glenosphere implant on an implanted baseplate is also provided.