Rotating Hinged-Knee Prosthesis With Adjustable Tab Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knee prostheses lack flexibility in motion ranges and adjustable rotation capabilities, which can affect the natural articulation of the knee joint during flexion and extension, leading to suboptimal functional outcomes in knee replacement surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The orthopaedic prosthesis system includes a femoral component attached to the femur, a tibial tray attached to the tibia, and a tibial insert with an inferiorly-extending tab that limits rotation about a first axis and an elongated pin that couples the tibial insert to the femoral component, allowing for adjustable rotation ranges through a modular design with multiple tabs and a hinge mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed hinge mechanism is used to couple the femoral component to the tibial components, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different motion ranges and rotation requirements is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple independent tabs (first tab, second tab, third tab) that can be selectively coupled to the platform. Each tab provides different rotational constraints, allowing the surgeon to configure the prosthesis for specific motion ranges. This segmentation enables adaptability while maintaining structural stability through the modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed hinge mechanism to a dynamic, adjustable mechanism where the degree of rotation between components can be modified by selecting different tab configurations. The hinge mechanism can be adjusted intraoperatively to provide different ranges of motion, making it adaptable to various patient requirements while maintaining stability during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tabs with different sizes are provided to permit different amounts of rotation, then the adaptability to rotation requirements is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tabs are integrated into a single platform structure, allowing one component to perform multiple functions by selecting different tab configurations. The same platform can accommodate different rotation requirements through tab selection without requiring separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs are pre-configured on the platform during manufacturing, with each tab sized to provide a specific rotational constraint. The surgeon selects the appropriate tab configuration before implantation, eliminating the need for intraoperative adjustments or complex assembly procedures. This preliminary configuration simplifies the surgical process while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the tab is removably coupled to the platform, then the ease of operation during surgery is improved, but the reliability of the connection is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tabs are pre-attached to the platform during manufacturing, ensuring a reliable and consistent connection before surgery. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for complex intraoperative assembly while maintaining connection reliability. The tab-platform connection is optimized for both ease of selection during surgery and long-term durability.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic prosthesis system includes a femoral component configured to be attached to a distal end of a patient's femur. A tibial tray is configured to be attached to a proximal end of a patient's tibia. A tibial insert is configured to be positioned between the femoral component and the tibial tray. An elongated pin rotatably couples the tibial insert to the femoral component.