Modular Knee Prosthesis with Interchangeable Trochlear Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee prostheses often fail to accurately adapt to individual patient anatomy, leading to maltracking of the patella and subsequent pain and instability due to their monobloc design, which is based on average human anatomy and cannot accommodate varying trochlear groove angles.
Innovation Solution
A modular knee prosthesis assembly kit that includes interchangeable trochlear groove components, allowing for intraoperative evaluation and optimal setting of the implant's orientation to match the patient's specific anatomy, comprising a bi-condylar component and interchangeable trochlear groove components that can be selected and fixed based on the patient's unique anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a monobloc femoral component based on average human anatomy is used, then manufacturing is simplified and structural integrity is maintained, but the trochlear groove angle cannot be adapted to individual patient anatomy, leading to patella maltracking
Solution Approach 1:
The femoral component is divided into two separate modular parts: a base component and an interchangeable trochlear groove component. This segmentation allows the trochlear groove angle to be varied independently while maintaining the overall femoral component structure, enabling adaptation to different patient anatomies without complicating the manufacturing of the base component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides multiple interchangeable trochlear groove components with different trochlear groove angles (e.g., 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°). By changing the angular parameter of the trochlear groove through component selection rather than redesigning the entire femoral component, the system achieves adaptability to individual patient anatomy while keeping manufacturing processes standardized.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the femoral component rotation is strictly determined by collateral ligament tension, then ligament balance is maintained, but the trochlear groove orientation becomes fixed and cannot be adjusted to correct patella maltracking
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the femoral component into a base part (which maintains ligament balance through its fixed rotation) and an interchangeable trochlear groove component, the invention allows independent optimization of each function. The base component ensures ligament balance stability while the interchangeable components provide trochlear groove orientation adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic adjustability through the selection of different interchangeable trochlear groove components during surgery. While the base femoral component maintains a fixed rotation for ligament balance, the surgeon can select and implant the appropriate trochlear groove component to achieve optimal patella tracking, creating a dynamically adaptable system.
3Device complexity
If compromises are made in implant design to accommodate average anatomy, then the implant design is simplified and production is easier, but many patients experience patellofemoral maltracking due to anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design separates the standardized base femoral component from the variable trochlear groove components. This segmentation allows the majority of the implant design to remain simple and based on average anatomy, while only the interchangeable trochlear groove portion needs to accommodate anatomical variations, thus managing overall device complexity effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The base femoral component serves as a universal platform that can be combined with different trochlear groove components to suit various patient anatomies. This multi-functionality approach allows a single base design to serve multiple purposes while the interchangeable components provide the necessary customization, balancing design simplicity with anatomical adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular knee prosthesis assembly kit for replacement of resected articular surfaces of a distal femur of a first patient side. The kit comprises at least one bi-condylar component sized and shaped to substantially replace resected posterior and distal condylar bone portions; and at least a first trochlear groove component and a second trochlear groove component, each sized and shaped to replace a resected trochlear groove bone portion. The first trochlear groove component comprises a first patella articulation path defining a first trochlear groove direction angle. The second trochlear groove component comprises a second patella articulation path defining a second trochlear groove direction angle. An assembly of the bi-condylar component and one of the first and second trochlear groove components forms a substantially complete femoral knee prosthesis. The second trochlear groove direction angle is different from the first trochlear groove direction angle.