Modular Knee Spacer With Variable Curvature Radii
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacer devices for joint prostheses are not adequately adaptable to individual patient sizes, leading to limited mobility and resistance to lateral stresses, and require manual shaping during surgery, which prolongs procedures and exposes healthcare workers to toxic substances.
Innovation Solution
A modular spacer device for the knee joint with preformed tibial and femoral elements featuring adjustable curvature radii and a central rib configuration, allowing for customizable fit and enhanced stability, along with a stem for secure attachment, reducing the need for manual adaptation and improving lateral resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manually-shaped spacer devices are used during surgical operation, then the device can be customized to patient needs, but the surgical procedure duration increases and healthcare workers are exposed to toxic substances
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is pre-formed with specific geometric parameters (curvature radii, dimensions) before the surgical operation. The surgeon selects and implants the pre-formed device without needing to manually shape it during surgery, thus reducing surgical time while still achieving patient-specific adaptation through proper selection of pre-formed variants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides a series of pre-formed spacer devices with different geometric parameters (different curvature radii R1, R2, R3 and dimensions) that can be selected based on patient anatomy. This segmentation into standardized variants allows customization without manual shaping
2Productivity
If preformed spacer devices with standard sizes are used, then surgical procedure time is reduced, but the device cannot be adequately adapted to individual patient anthropomorphic sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides pre-formed spacer devices with specific local geometric characteristics (curvature radii R1, R2, R3 at different locations, specific dimensions L1, L2, L3) that can be selected to match patient anatomy. Each pre-formed variant has optimized local properties for different anatomical requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If spacer devices with fixed geometry are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the device cannot provide optimal mobility and resistance to lateral stresses for each patient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides pre-formed spacer devices with different geometric parameters (curvature radii R1, R2, R3 and dimensions L1, L2, L3) manufactured using standardized processes. By varying the geometric parameters across different device variants rather than changing manufacturing complexity, optimal performance for each patient is achieved while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A modular spacer device for a knee joint includes a tibial element adapted to be constrained to an end of the tibial bone and a femoral element adapted to be constrained to an end of the femoral bone and to be articulated on the tibial element. The tibial element has first and second surfaces opposite to each other, and the femoral element has first surface and second surfaces opposite to each other. The first surface of the femoral element is convex and laterally has a curved, ammonite-shaped contour with a curvature radius that increases starting from a rear section with a curvature radius R1, a first central section having a curvature radius R2, a second central section having a curvature radius R3, and a front section having a curvature radius R4, with R1≤R2≤R3≤R4.