Mobile Humeral Insert for Greater Reverse Shoulder Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reverse-type shoulder implant systems often result in impaired functional outcomes, limiting patients' ability to perform daily activities and subtle motions due to restricted joint motion.

Innovation Solution

A shoulder implant system featuring a non-contained insert that articulates and moves relative to a humeral tray, allowing increased range of motion and CCD angle changes during joint motion, with a humeral stem implanted in the humerus and a glenosphere mounted on the scapula, and an insert articulating with both the humeral tray and glenosphere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reverse-type shoulder implant system with a fixed insert is used, then the implant provides stable articulation between the humeral tray and glenosphere, but the joint motion is restricted and functional outcome is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint motion rangeVSAvoidfunctional outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is designed to be mobile relative to the humeral tray, transitioning from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one. The insert can articulate and move independently within the humeral tray, allowing the joint to adapt its motion characteristics during movement. This dynamic capability increases the range of motion while maintaining functional reliability through controlled articulation between the insert, humeral tray, and glenosphere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional ball-and-socket configuration is used to replicate natural anatomy, then the implant structure is simple and stable, but the ability to perform daily tasks and subtle motions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform daily activitiesVSAvoidimplant structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is segmented into distinct articulating components: the glenosphere, the humeral tray, and the mobile insert. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall motion capability. The insert acts as an intermediate element that can move relative to both the humeral tray and glenosphere, thereby increasing adaptability for daily activities without requiring complete redesign of the entire implant structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the insert is not attached to the humeral tray, then the range of motion and CCD angle changes are increased, but the stability of the insert position may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of motionVSAvoidinsert position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The insert serves as an intermediary element between the humeral tray and glenosphere. While not permanently attached to the humeral tray, it maintains stable positioning through its articulation mechanism. The insert mediates the motion between the fixed humeral tray and the glenosphere, allowing range of motion improvements while maintaining positional stability through controlled articulation rather than rigid attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4093336B1Mobile bearing reversed humeral implant

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 ZIMMER INC

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AI summary

An apparatus including a humeral tray (120) configured to be mounted to a proximal end of a humeral stem (100), and an insert (130) positioned on an outer surface of the humeral tray configured to articulate with a glenosphere (110); wherein the insert is not attached to the humeral tray such that the insert can articulate and move relative to the humeral tray.