Modular Knee Arthroplasty Adapters for Intraoperative Stability Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current arthroplasty systems lack the ability for surgeons to choose or modify the constraint level of knee prostheses during or after surgery, limiting flexibility in addressing varying patient anatomical and soft tissue conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular arthroplasty systems with adapters that can be intraoperatively selected or exchanged to modify the stability of the joint by using constraint features such as cavities and protrusions, allowing for conversion between different constraint levels like CCK and hinged designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a less constrained prosthesis is used, then greater range of motion is provided, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of constraint level through interchangeable adapters. The surgeon can select different adapters (less constrained, CCK, or hinged) based on intraoperative assessment of soft tissue integrity and joint stability, enabling the prosthesis to adapt to the patient's specific anatomical conditions rather than being fixed at implantation
2Stability of the object's composition
If a more constrained prosthesis is used, then stability is improved, but range of motion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The modular adapter system enables dynamic selection of constraint level. If intraoperative assessment reveals excessive stability or restricted motion, the surgeon can exchange the constrained adapter for a less constrained one, optimizing the balance between stability and range of motion for the specific patient
3Ease of manufacture
If a specific constraint level is selected during preoperative planning, then the prosthesis design is fixed, but flexibility to address varying patient conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is segmented into modular components: a base prosthesis and interchangeable adapters. This segmentation allows the surgeon to implant the base prosthesis with a receptacle designed to accept multiple adapter types, providing flexibility to address varying patient conditions without requiring a completely different prosthesis design
Solution Approach 2:
The base prosthesis with its standardized receptacle serves multiple functions by accommodating different adapter types (less constrained, CCK, hinged). This universal interface allows a single base prosthesis design to fulfill multiple constraint level requirements based on intraoperative assessment
4Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are made interchangeable and removable, then flexibility to modify stability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the constraint function into separate interchangeable adapters rather than integrating multiple constraint mechanisms into a single complex unit. Each adapter is a relatively simple component designed for straightforward insertion and removal from the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
An arthroplasty system may include a first prosthesis to be fixed to a first bone of a joint, a second prosthesis to be fixed to a second bone of the joint for articulation with the first prosthesis, and one or more adapters to be fixed to the first prosthesis for articulation with the second prosthesis to modify the stability of the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis. The system may include one or more articular inserts to be coupled to the second prosthesis for articulation with the first prosthesis and/or the adapter(s). The articular inserts may be fixed or mobile bearing relative to the second prosthesis. Each adapter and corresponding articular insert may modify stability differently.