Modular Joint Implant Segmentation for Anatomical Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint implants face challenges in adapting to different anatomical conditions, handling ease, and long-term mechanical durability, particularly in varying bone sizes and joint movements, while also requiring simple manufacturing and integration into the body.
Innovation Solution
The joint implant features a plate-shaped contact part and a separate joint part that can be independently adjusted and connected via a connecting means, with a covering element that supports the implant against the bone, allowing for adaptable articulation and secure fixation, enabling pivoting, rolling, or tilting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the implant is designed as a single integrated component, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different anatomical conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separate components: a contact part with bone-contacting surfaces and a joint part with articulation surfaces, connected through a connecting means. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant components are separated into contact part and joint part, then adaptability to different anatomical conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact part and joint part are designed as universal components that can be combined in different configurations to accommodate various anatomical conditions. The connecting means serves multiple functions by simultaneously joining the components and enabling articulation, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting means is exposed on the bone side, then assembly is easier, but implant safety and long-term stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means is designed with features that enable preliminary assembly and adjustment before final implantation. Once assembled, the connecting means becomes protected within the implant structure, combining the benefits of easy assembly with long-term stability.
4Reliability
If the contact part covers the receptacle for connecting means, then implant safety and stability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact part acts as an intermediary element that covers the receptacle for the connecting means. This design provides protection and stability while incorporating alignment features that facilitate precise positioning during assembly, thereby managing manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Joint implant (1) comprising an upper and a lower implant part (2, 3), which are connected to each other by at least one joint, wherein a top side of the upper implant part and a bottom side of the lower implant part can be placed against bones to be connected to each other in an articulated manner and supported, wherein the upper and/or the lower implant parts each comprise a portion of the joint region providing the joint, and wherein a connecting means (4) is provided which connects the upper and lower implant parts to each other to form a combined assembly, while enabling movement of the joint. Each of the upper and/or lower implant parts comprises a contact part (5, 8) which faces the respective bone and can be attached thereto and which provides the top or bottom side of the implant, and further comprises a joint part (6, 9) which can be attached to the contact part and comprises the joint region of the implant part. As an alternative, or in addition, the connecting means (4) extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant and is mounted in a holder (26, 27) of the joint region of the upper and/or lower implant parts, said holder being open on the side facing the bone, wherein the holder can be covered at least partially or at least substantially fully by a cover element which can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the implant.