Knee Prosthesis Interchangeable Inserts for Hinged Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knee joint prostheses lack the flexibility to convert between non-hinged and hinged configurations without requiring separate components, which limits their adaptability in revision surgeries where varying degrees of stability are needed.

Innovation Solution

A knee prosthesis system comprising a femoral component, tibial component, and interchangeable inserts and bearings that allow conversion between non-hinged and hinged configurations by selectively positioning and coupling different inserts and bearings, enabling a common femoral and tibial component to be used in both configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components are used for non-hinged and hinged configurations, then each configuration can be optimized for its specific stability requirements, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The femoral component and tibial component are designed as universal bases that can accommodate multiple insert types (hinged and non-hinged) through standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms, allowing a single prosthesis system to provide both hinged and non-hinged configurations without requiring separate complete prosthesis sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate prosthesis systems are maintained for different configurations, then each system can be optimized for its specific use case, but the quantity of components and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidquantity of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is segmented into modular components where the femoral and tibial bases remain constant, but interchangeable inserts (hinged and non-hinged) can be selectively attached. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple configurations while minimizing the total quantity of components needed compared to maintaining separate complete prosthesis systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for intraoperative exchange of inserts between hinged and non-hinged configurations, enabling the surgical team to discard the initial insert configuration and recover/reuse the same femoral and tibial components with a different insert if clinical conditions change during or after surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10064733B2Knee prosthesis systems and methods

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 BIOMET MFG LLC

AI summary

A knee prosthesis system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a femoral component, a tibial component, a first femoral component insert, a second femoral component insert, a first tibial bearing, and a second tibial bearing. The knee prosthesis system may be configured in one of a non-hinged configuration and a second hinged configuration. In the first non-hinged configuration, the first femoral component insert is positioned relative to the femoral component and the first tibial bearing is positioned onto the tibial component. In the second hinged configuration, the second femoral component insert is positioned relative to the femoral component and the second tibial bearing is positioned onto the tibial component.