Hip Joint Implant With Reshapeable Titanium Brackets for Pelvic Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hip joint implants face a conflict between the need for robust and cost-effective materials like titanium alloys, which are not reshapeable, and the requirement for better biocompatibility and adaptability to individual pelvic bone anatomy, typically addressed by stainless steel which can be reshaped but lacks biocompatibility.
Innovation Solution
A hip joint implant design using reshapeable biocompatible fastening brackets made of pure titanium, connected to a stiffer socket made of titanium alloy via a cohesive bond, allowing intraoperative adaptation and ensuring strong, stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stainless steel is used for fastening brackets, then reshapeability and adaptability to pelvic bone anatomy are improved, but biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into two functional segments: the socket portion made from titanium alloy (non-reshapeable, high biocompatibility) and the fastening brackets made from pure titanium (reshapeable, high biocompatibility). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material properties are assigned to different parts of the implant based on local functional requirements. The socket requires high strength and biocompatibility but not reshapeability, while the fastening brackets require both biocompatibility and reshapeability for surgical adaptation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the right material properties where needed.
2Strength
If titanium alloy is used for the socket, then mechanical robustness and dimensional stability are improved, but reshapeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant structure is segmented into a socket portion requiring high mechanical robustness (titanium alloy) and fastening brackets requiring reshapeability (pure titanium). This segmentation allows the socket to maintain dimensional stability and strength while the brackets can be adapted during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket portion is assigned titanium alloy material properties (high strength, dimensional stability) appropriate for its load-bearing function, while the fastening brackets are assigned pure titanium properties (reshapeability) appropriate for their adaptation function. This local quality assignment resolves the contradiction between robustness and reshapeability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pure titanium is used for fastening brackets, then biocompatibility and reshapeability are improved, but mechanical robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening brackets are segmented as a separate component made from pure titanium, isolated from the high-strength titanium alloy socket. This segmentation allows the brackets to be optimized for biocompatibility and reshapeability while the socket provides the necessary mechanical robustness through its material properties and cohesive bond connection.
4Ease of manufacture
If stainless steel is used for the implant, then cost-effectiveness and ease of reshaping are improved, but biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is segmented into components made from biocompatible titanium materials rather than stainless steel, eliminating biocompatibility concerns while maintaining the ability to reshape during surgery. The modular design with separate socket and bracket components allows optimization of both manufacturing and biological performance.
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
The design provides reliable, stable, and long-term fixation with improved biocompatibility and adaptability to pelvic bone anatomy, reducing installation space and maintaining mechanical robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the fastening brackets are made of a reshapeable (cold-formable) biocompatible material and are connected to the socket via a non-releasable cohesive bond
Data Source
AI summary
Hip joint implant for fastening to a pelvic bone, with a support body which has a socket and whose convex outer face is designed to bear on the pelvic bone and which, on its concave inner face, has a receiving seat for a pelvis-side bearing that is designed to receive a joint head of a femoral component of a hip prosthesis, and with outwardly directed flat fastening brackets which are arranged at the edge region of the socket and are each provided with at least one receiving seat for a fastening means. The fastening brackets are made of a reshapeable biocompatible material and are connected to the socket via a non-releasable cohesive bond, wherein the socket is made of another, stiffer biocompatible material. A high degree of robustness of the socket is thus combined with what is, by virtue of the reshapeability, an improved adaptation to the anatomical conditions of the respective pelvic bone. This improves reliability of fastening, stability and long-term behavior.