Lockable Knee Implant Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knee replacement surgeries often require multiple interventions, leading to increased risk of secondary damage and complications, particularly in patients with muscular deficiency or inadequate soft tissue stability, as existing solutions like knee arthrodesis result in a rigidly extended limb that limits mobility and causes joint pain and muscular fatigue.
Innovation Solution
Development of lockable knee implants that can be selectively locked or unlocked, allowing for knee flexion when desired and locking into a fixed or semi-rigid configuration for stable stance, using mechanical or electromechanical locks, magnetic operation, or user-activated mechanisms like buttons or latches, to provide adjustable stability and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If knee arthrodesis is performed to provide stable stance and walking, then structural stability is improved, but knee flexibility and mobility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The knee implant incorporates a lockable hinge mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states, allowing the knee to dynamically adjust between stable extended position and flexible flexed position based on patient needs and activities
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid extension is maintained to ensure stability, then structural support is improved, but muscular strength requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical lock mechanism automatically engages when the knee reaches full extension, providing self-stabilization without requiring continuous muscular effort to maintain position, thereby reducing the load on surrounding musculature
3Reliability
If multiple surgical interventions are performed to address knee dysfunction, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of secondary damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knee implant is designed as a modular system with separable components including femoral component, tibial component, and hinge mechanism, allowing for controlled assembly and potential future revisions without requiring complete replacement or multiple complex interventions
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 lockable knee implants enable patients to achieve knee flexion and stable stance, reducing the need for constant muscular strength and endurance, thereby minimizing secondary joint pain and muscular fatigue, while allowing for participation in daily activities and reducing the risk of further surgical complications.
Implementation Method 1
The locking member may be magnetically operated to lock and unlock the knee implant
Data Source
AI summary
Total knee replacements for hinged knee implants include a tibial member, a femoral member, a hinge assembly having a laterally extending axle configured to hingedly attach the femoral member to the tibial member, and a lock mechanism in communication with the hinge assembly. The lock mechanism is configured to (i) lock the femoral member in alignment with the tibial member for a full extension or other defined stabile walking configuration to thereby allow an arthrodesis or stiff knee gait and (ii) unlock to allow the femoral and tibial members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending when not ambulating.