Joint Arthroplasty Implant With Medullary Fin for Bone-Sparing Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional joint replacement arthroplasty and resurfacing arthroplasty implants relying on intramedullary stems require extensive bone excision and soft tissue exposure, limiting anatomical reconstruction and causing undesirable consequences.

Innovation Solution

Implants using medullary fins or posts for fixation, allowing for less invasive procedures by creating slots in the metacarpal bone and positioning articulation surfaces to improve joint function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional stemmed implants with intramedullary stems are used, then secure attachment and joint replacement can be achieved, but extensive bone excision and soft tissue exposure are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidbone excision amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into separate components: an articular component and a fixation component (medullary fin or post). The fixation component is inserted through a small cortical opening into the medullary canal, while the articular component replaces the joint surface. This segmentation allows secure attachment without requiring extensive bone excision for stem insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential fixation function from the traditional intramedullary stem and implements it through a simplified medullary fin or post structure. This extracted fixation element provides secure attachment while minimizing bone removal, as it only requires a small cortical opening rather than extensive medullary canal preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional stemmed implants are used, then joint replacement can be performed, but extensive soft tissue exposure and joint dislocation are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation feasibilityVSAvoidsoft tissue disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant procedure is segmented into minimal invasive steps: creating a small cortical opening for the fixation component, inserting the medullary fin or post, and positioning the articular component. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive soft tissue exposure and joint dislocation required by conventional stemmed implants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The medullary fin or post acts as an intermediary element that provides fixation without requiring direct exposure of deep joint structures. This intermediary approach allows the implant to be secured through a small cortical opening while the articular component is positioned with minimal soft tissue disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If intramedullary stems are used for fixation, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the placement of articular component is limited by stem position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidarticular component placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is segmented into independent fixation and articular components. The medullary fin or post provides fixation security, while the articular component can be independently positioned and oriented to restore natural joint anatomy. This segmentation decouples the placement constraints, allowing optimal positioning of the articular surface regardless of the fixation element's position in the medullary canal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic adjustability in the placement of the articular component. Unlike fixed stemmed implants where the articular component position is constrained by the stem's fixed position, this design allows the articular component to be positioned and oriented dynamically to match the patient's native joint anatomy, providing versatility in reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular implants with multiple articulating component options are used, then anatomical reconstruction can be improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical reconstruction capabilityVSAvoidimplant modularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The medullary fin or post design serves as a universal fixation solution that can be combined with various articular components. The simple, standardized fixation element provides adaptability for different anatomical reconstructions without requiring complex modular fixation options, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250352352A1Joint replacement arthroplasty and joint resurfacing arthroplasty implant, method of implantation, and method of using same

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ EDUARDO

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an implant, a corresponding method of implantation, and a method of using the same that can be used in orthopaedic joint replacement arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty and/or an orthopaedic joint resurfacing arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty. The implant can include a fin portion for receipt in a corresponding slot formed in bone, and the fin portion can support an articulation portion that can be used in resurfacing and replacing portions of articulation surfaces of a joint.