Interconnected Joint Implants With Polyaxial Bone Plate Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint replacement and fracture repair systems lack sufficient implant stability and interoperability, particularly in cases involving trauma or revision procedures where bones associated with the joint need repair.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a joint replacement prosthesis with a prosthetic articular surface and a bone plate with a bone engagement surface, featuring a fastening system that allows for polyaxial adjustment and attachment interfaces with complementary semispherical shapes, enabling secure coupling and conformity to the bone surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate joint replacement and fracture repair systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but implant stability and interoperability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the joint replacement prosthesis and fracture repair bone plate into a single integrated system. The bone plate includes attachment interfaces that directly couple to the joint prosthesis components, creating a unified implant assembly that provides both joint replacement and fracture repair functions simultaneously, thereby improving both stability and interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated implant system is designed to perform multiple functions: it replaces the joint articulating surface while simultaneously repairing adjacent bone fractures. The bone plate can be configured to attach to different prosthesis components (femoral stem, acetabular cup, etc.), making the system universally applicable to various joint replacement scenarios with associated fractures
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed attachment interface is used between bone plate and prosthesis, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different bone and joint configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment interface between the bone plate and joint prosthesis incorporates adjustable elements that allow the bone plate to be positioned at multiple angles and orientations relative to the prosthesis. This dynamic adjustability enables customization to match specific patient anatomy while maintaining precise mechanical coupling through threaded fasteners or locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment interface is divided into separate modular components: the bone plate with its attachment interface, the joint prosthesis with its coupling features, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with high precision independently, then assembled with adaptability through the modular connection system
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method may be used to replace a natural or artificial articular surface of a joint, and to repair a bone that is associated with the joint. In some embodiments, the apparatus, system, and method may include a joint replacement prosthesis with a prosthetic articular surface, a support structure securable to the bone, and a first attachment interface. The system may also include a bone plate with a bone engagement surface securable to the bone on either side of a fracture formed in the bone, or a damaged area of the bone. The bone plate may include a second attachment interface that is attachable to the first attachment interface of the joint replacement prosthesis in order to couple the bone plate to the joint replacement prosthesis.