Inflatable Joint Prosthesis Augment Medicament Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating soft tissue injuries in joints, such as rotator cuff tendons and articular capsule deterioration, face challenges in promoting tissue thickening and healing, especially when combined with inflatable balloons used to reduce friction and inflammation, as they struggle to deliver medicaments effectively and maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis system comprising an inflatable implant and an augment, where the implant is deflated for insertion and inflated within the joint to simulate a bursa, and the augment is mechanically or chemically coupled to the implant to promote tissue growth, using a fluid that can include medicaments, and is designed to be biodegradable to facilitate healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If medicament is contained within the balloon, then medicament delivery is enabled, but the structural integrity of the balloon is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medicament delivery function from the balloon structure by using a separate augment component that can be coupled to the balloon. The augment serves as the medicament reservoir while the balloon maintains its structural integrity for providing mechanical support and cushioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The augment acts as an intermediary component between the balloon and the tissue, providing medicament delivery functionality without directly compromising the balloon's structural integrity. The augment can be mechanically or chemically coupled to the balloon, serving as a mediator that adds therapeutic functionality while preserving the balloon's mechanical properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the implant is inflated to simulate a bursa, then friction reduction is achieved, but the ability to deliver medicament at a steady rate becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the friction reduction function (performed by the inflated balloon simulating a bursa) from the medicament delivery function (performed by the augment). This segmentation allows the balloon to be optimized for mechanical cushioning while the augment is designed specifically for controlled medicament release.
Solution Approach 2:
The augment serves as an intermediary medicament delivery system attached to the balloon, enabling controlled and steady-rate medicament release without interfering with the balloon's inflation and friction-reduction capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the prosthesis is inserted in deflated configuration, then insertion ease is improved, but the device complexity increases due to coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static coupled structure to a dynamic assembly where the augment and balloon can be separately inserted and then coupled inside the body. This dynamic approach allows simple insertion of each component separately, with the coupling mechanism activated only when needed at the implantation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon is prepared in a deflated state before insertion, and the augment is prepared separately, both ready for coupling after insertion. This preliminary preparation simplifies the insertion process while the coupling mechanisms are activated in situ to create the functional assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a prosthesis comprising an implant and an augment, according to several embodiments. The prosthesis may at least partially alleviate pain and restore function to impaired areas in a patient. The prosthesis has an insertion configuration, wherein the implant is deflated. The prosthesis has an implanted configuration, wherein the implant is inflated with a fluid. Further provided are a system comprising the prosthesis and delivery tools therefor, a method of implanting the prosthesis, and a method of manufacturing the prosthesis. According to the implantation method, the prosthesis may be inserted into the patient in the insertion configuration, and then may be inflated to form the implanted configuration.