Modular Adjustable Knee Spacer for Joint Space Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee spacer devices are not easily adjustable, require extensive preparation time, and often use toxic materials, making it difficult to maintain joint space dimensions and treat infections effectively during the removal of infected prostheses.
Innovation Solution
A modular, adjustable knee spacer device with interchangeable components made of biologically compatible materials, allowing for quick and easy implantation and self-adjustment to fit individual joint dimensions, incorporating antibiotic-releasing capabilities to treat infections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spacer devices are made of bone cement with appropriate size, then the joint space can be maintained, but the implant operation duration increases greatly and toxic substances are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is divided into multiple modular components (femoral component, tibial component, and interchangeable intermediate components) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for pre-preparation of standardized modules, reducing intraoperative customization time while maintaining the ability to adapt to different joint space requirements through component selection rather than extensive on-site fabrication.
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-formed spacer devices are used, then implantation is simpler, but they cannot be adapted from patient to patient, making it difficult to guarantee good joint mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device employs universal interfaces and standardized component designs that can be combined in multiple configurations to accommodate different patient anatomies. The interchangeable intermediate components come in various sizes and geometries, allowing a single base design to serve multiple patient-specific applications while maintaining ease of implantation through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer device incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components that allow dynamic adaptation during the implantation process. Surgeons can select and swap intermediate components based on intraoperative measurements and patient-specific requirements, transforming a static pre-formed device into a dynamically adaptable solution that maintains both simplicity and customization.
3Ease of operation
If a short spacer is placed where a long prosthesis was implanted, then implantation is easier, but part of the bone is not treated with antibiotic, letting bacteria proliferate
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device allows for parameter changes in length and geometry through the selection of different interchangeable intermediate components. This enables the device to be adapted to match the original prosthesis length and coverage area without requiring complex custom fabrication, ensuring adequate antibiotic treatment coverage while maintaining ease of implantation through standardized component selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective and rapid adaptation to the patient's joint area, ensuring comprehensive antibiotic delivery and maintaining joint space dimensions, thereby preventing tissue atrophy and bacterial proliferation, while reducing the complexity and duration of the implantation process.
Implementation Method 1
the bone tissue absorbs in a concentrated manner all the (even a few) antibiotic molecules daily released by the spacer
Implementation Method 2
the bone tissue absorbs in a concentrated manner all the (even a few) antibiotic molecules daily released by the spacer
Data Source
AI summary
A knee spacer device configured to be implanted temporarily at the joint area between the tibia and femur of a patient to replace an infected joint prosthesis and to maintain the size or spaces of the patient's joint area before implanting a new prosthesis includes a tibial unit and a femoral unit.