Meniscus Prosthesis Asymmetric Dorsal Surface Stifle Joint Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for knee joint instability in mammals, such as dogs and humans, after cranial cruciate ligament rupture are invasive and do not adequately address joint stability, leading to potential osteoarthritis and secondary meniscus lesions.
Innovation Solution
A meniscus prosthesis with a dorsal surface inclined towards the caudal edge and a fixation element to stabilize the stifle joint, preventing femur dislocation and providing additional support through a wedge-shaped design that increases thickness towards the caudal, medial, and cranial edges, and a ventral surface matching the tibial plateau for secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive surgical interventions (TPLO, TTA, TTO) are used to treat knee joint instability, then joint stability is improved, but the invasiveness and complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and replaces only the damaged meniscus tissue with a prosthesis, rather than performing invasive bone-cutting procedures. The meniscus prosthesis is implanted into the joint space to restore function, avoiding the need for TPLO, TTA, or TTO procedures while still achieving joint stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The meniscus prosthesis acts as an intermediary component between the femur and tibia, restoring the shock-absorbing and stabilizing functions of the native meniscus. This intermediate structure provides joint stability without requiring direct bone modification or complex fixation procedures.
2Reliability
If traditional fixation methods are used to secure the prosthesis, then the prosthesis remains stable, but the risk of prosthesis sliding increases under caudal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The dorsal surface of the prosthesis features an asymmetric inclination that is steeper in the caudal direction than in the cranial direction. This asymmetric geometry creates a mechanical advantage that resists caudal sliding forces while maintaining physiological movement in other directions, effectively preventing prosthesis displacement under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional feature by inclining the dorsal surface at specific angles relative to the joint surfaces. This angular orientation adds a geometric constraint that prevents sliding in the caudal direction, transforming a potential failure mode into a stabilized configuration through spatial geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthesis for a mammal comprises a prosthesis body (302) with a dorsal surface (311) and a ventral surface (312) shaped to fit in a joint between a tibia and a femur so that the dorsal surface faces a distal end of the femur and the ventral surface faces a proximal end of the tibia. At least one fixation element (303) is provided for fixing the prosthesis body (302) to the tibia (150), wherein the dorsal surface (311) is inclined in a dorsal direction towards a caudal edge of the prosthesis body, to stabilize the femur.