Magnetic Prosthetic Joint Assistance for External Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgery involving joint prostheses often disrupts muscles and nerves, making certain motions, such as external rotation and flexion/extension, difficult to execute, with existing solutions like RSA alone not adequately addressing these issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of magnets positioned about a joint to provide an attractive magnetic force to facilitate movement, such as, for example, external rotation, such as, after undergoing a reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) or total elbow arthroplasty (RSA) or total elbow arthroplasty (TSA) or total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or total elbow arthroplasty (TSA) or total elbow arthroplasty (TEA).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnets are positioned about a joint to provide magnetic attraction force, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical muscle reinforcement procedures with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets are integrated into the prosthetic joint components to generate magnetic attraction forces that assist joint movement, eliminating the need for complex surgical muscle transfers and providing a non-invasive alternative to mechanical reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the prosthetic joint by incorporating magnetic materials. The magnetic properties of the joint components are changed to enable magnetic interaction, allowing the joint to utilize magnetic forces for movement assistance without altering the fundamental mechanical structure of the prosthesis.
2Reliability
If surgical procedures are performed to restore muscle function, then functional outcome is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic assistance system is pre-integrated into the prosthetic joint components during manufacturing, before the patient undergoes surgery. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for additional surgical steps to install magnetic components or perform muscle transfers, reducing overall surgical time while maintaining functional outcomes.
3Ease of operation
If latissimus dorsi transfer is added to RSA, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical latissimus dorsi transfer procedure with a magnetic field-based solution. Magnets integrated into the prosthetic joint components generate magnetic attraction forces that assist external rotation, eliminating the need for complex soft tissue transfer surgery and reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary force between the prosthetic joint components and the patient's body. This magnetic intermediary provides the necessary assistance for external rotation without requiring direct mechanical connection or tissue transfer, simplifying the overall procedure.
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
Facilitates external rotation and flexion/extension by providing an attractive magnetic force to assist in joint movement, reducing the complexity and complications of surgical procedures and improving functional outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
magnets that are positioned about a joint to provide an attractive magnetic force to facilitate movement about the joint
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic joint (200) for assisting a path of motion that includes a first component (118) including a first magnet (130a, 130b, 130c); a second component (124) engaging with the first component, the second component including a second magnet (126), and wherein the second magnet is located with respect to the first magnet so as to be in magnetic attraction when the first component and/or the second component is moved along the path of motion.