Meniscus Prosthetic Anti-Migration and Radiopaque Trialing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meniscus replacement devices face challenges in maintaining proper positioning and preventing migration within the knee joint during implantation, leading to potential expulsion or misplacement.
Innovation Solution
A floating meniscus prosthetic device with anti-migration features, including a central portion made of resilient material and an outer portion with embedded reinforcing fibers, featuring a retention structure with a posterior channel and anterior flange to prevent posterior migration, and the use of radiopaque markers for in-vivo trialing to ensure correct sizing and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floating meniscus prosthetic device is used to replace the natural meniscus, then the device can be easily implanted and moved with joint motion, but the device may migrate or be expelled from the knee joint due to insufficient retention
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic device is divided into distinct functional zones: a central body portion for load-bearing, an outer body portion for containment, and specific retention features (anterior containment feature, posterior containment feature, superior containment feature) that segment the retention function across multiple anatomical boundaries. This segmentation allows the device to be easily implanted as a single unit while providing distributed retention forces throughout the knee joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates preliminary anti-migration features designed to counteract the natural tendency of the prosthesis to migrate or be expelled. The anterior containment feature with its inferior extension, the posterior containment feature with its superior extension, and the superior containment feature are all pre-configured to resist posterior and superior migration forces before they can cause device failure.
2Measurement precision
If radiopaque markers are added to the prosthetic device for trialing and positioning, then the device can be properly sized and positioned during implantation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Radiopaque markers are incorporated into the prosthetic device to enable visualization under fluoroscopic imaging during implantation. These markers appear as distinct radiopaque features on imaging, allowing the surgical team to accurately assess device positioning, sizing, and orientation without adding significant structural complexity. The markers are integrated into the existing device architecture rather than adding separate components.
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 device effectively prevents posterior migration and ensures proper positioning within the knee joint, allowing for improved load distribution and retention, while the trialing method ensures correct sizing and retention, enhancing the success of the implantation procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the use of radiopaque markers for in-vivo trialing to ensure correct sizing and positioning
Implementation Method 2
The outer portion comprises the resilient material and is tensioned with at least one reinforcing fiber embedded in the resilient material
Implementation Method 3
The central portion having an upper surface for engagement with a portion of a femur and an opposing lower surface for engagement with a portion of a tibia. The central portion comprises a resilient material.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores stress distribution, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device includes an anti-migration feature that inhibits extreme movement within the joint while permitting free floating over a significant range. In one aspect, the anti-migration feature is an enlarged anterior structure or a posterior meniscus remnant engaging channel while in another aspect, the anti-migration feature includes a tethering member. Still further, removable radiopaque features are provided to enhance trialing of the implant prior to final implantation within the joint.