Interpositional Orthopedic Device Bone Erosion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic pain management techniques involving implantable devices are invasive, often lead to bone erosion, and fail to restore normal joint stability and range of motion due to material erosion and the need for substantial bone alterations.
Innovation Solution
An implantable interpositional orthopedic pain management device with a saddle-shaped structure that distracts bones to prevent direct contact, using materials with an elastic modulus similar to bone to minimize erosion, and is designed to fit within joints without the need for bone removal or fusion, maintaining dynamic stability and range of motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional implantable devices are used for orthopedic pain management, then pain relief can be achieved, but bone erosion occurs and joint stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using an elastic modulus that matches bone tissue, preventing the hardness mismatch that causes bone erosion. The device material is specifically selected to have mechanical properties comparable to bone, eliminating the harmful erosion effect while maintaining pain relief functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite material construction combining resilient material for the main body with harder ceramic or metal components for load-bearing surfaces. This composite approach provides both the erosion-resistant properties needed for long-term reliability and the mechanical strength required for effective pain management
2Ease of manufacture
If substantial bone alterations are made to accommodate implantable devices, then device placement is achieved, but normal joint stability and range of motion are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a resilient material that provides partial compliance with bone movement, allowing the joint to maintain its natural range of motion without requiring complete bone removal or fusion. The material's elasticity compensates for the presence of the implant, preserving normal joint function
Solution Approach 2:
By matching the elastic modulus to bone tissue, the device becomes mechanically indistinguishable from natural bone during movement, allowing full range of motion without the need for extensive bone alterations. The material parameter selection enables the device to move with the bone rather than restricting it
3Reliability
If invasive surgical procedures are performed to relieve orthopedic pain, then pain management is achieved, but surgical time and rehabilitation period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts only the degraded cartilage and inserts the interpositional device without requiring removal of bone or fusion of joint surfaces. This selective extraction approach maintains the natural joint architecture, dramatically reducing surgical complexity and post-operative rehabilitation requirements compared to fusion procedures
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 device effectively alleviates pain and restores joint stability and range of motion by preventing bone contact, reducing the risk of erosion, and allowing for natural joint movement without the need for invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
using materials with an elastic modulus similar to bone to minimize erosion
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable orthopedic pain management devices are disclosed, including a body with a top surface having a plurality of regions, each region having a radius of curvature, and a bottom surface having another radius of curvature, the body being configured to be disposed in a joint to prevent contact between one or more bones comprising the joint, the body also not being coupled to the one or more bones, a peripheral protrusion disposed substantially about a perimeter of the body and configured to prevent expulsion of the body from the joint, and a notch disposed substantially about the perimeter of the body and formed with a region of the top surface, the notch having a substantially outward facing vertical surface that is configured to retain the device in position within the joint.