Modular Patella Trial System Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patella trial systems are expensive to manufacture, clean, sterilize, and ship, and they increase the risk of infection due to the need for multiple reusable instruments and extensive instrumentation in the operating room, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular patella trial system that includes articular and sizing elements, which can be reusable or disposable, made of materials like stainless steel, titanium, or plastic, designed to match the size, shape, and configuration of the permanent patella prosthetic, allowing for interchangeable components to minimize instrument costs and reduce infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reusable patella trial systems are used, then interoperative flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs, cleaning/sterilization costs, and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trial system is divided into modular components: a reusable articular component and disposable sizing elements. This segmentation allows the complex articular portion to be reused while simpler sizing portions are disposable, reducing overall manufacturing and sterilization costs while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The articular component is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple sizing elements of different dimensions. This multi-functionality allows a single reusable component to serve multiple trial sizes, improving adaptability while reducing the total number of instruments needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reusable patella trial instruments are used, then sizing options are improved, but cleaning and sterilization costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trial system separates the articular component (reusable) from the sizing elements (disposable). This segmentation eliminates the need to clean and sterilize multiple complete trial assemblies, as only the single articular component requires processing, significantly reducing cleaning time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sizing elements are designed as disposable components that are discarded after use. This eliminates the need for repeated cleaning and sterilization of multiple trial instruments, reducing both time and cost while maintaining various sizing options through different disposable elements.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive instrumentation is used in the operating room, then surgical precision is improved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sizing elements are disposable and packaged in sterile condition, eliminating infection risk from repeated sterilization cycles. The reduced number of instruments (one reusable articular component plus disposable sizing elements) decreases the overall infection risk in the operating room while maintaining surgical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal articular component works with multiple sizing elements, reducing the total number of instruments needed in the operating room. Fewer instruments mean fewer potential sources of infection while the system maintains the precision needed for accurate sizing through its modular design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complete patella trial systems are distributed in instrument trays, then comprehensive trialing is improved, but shipping and distribution costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable articular component and disposable sizing elements that can be distributed separately. This allows the expensive articular component to be reused across multiple procedures while simpler sizing elements are distributed as needed, reducing overall shipping and distribution costs and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal articular component can be used with multiple different sizing elements, allowing a single component to be shipped once and reused for comprehensive trialing of different sizes. This reduces the need to ship complete trial systems for each procedure, decreasing shipping frequency and associated costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular patella trial system and method is provided. A modular patella trial includes an articular element and at least one sizing element. The articular element has a length, a width, and a thickness. The articular element has a posterior and anterior surfaces separated by their thickness. The anterior surface has protrusions extending outwardly. Any of the sizing elements have a length, width, and thickness. Any such sizing elements have posterior and anterior surfaces separated by their thickness. At least one aperture extends through the posterior and anterior surfaces of the sizing elements. Such apertures are capable of receiving a corresponding protrusion of the articular element. The modular patella trial has a thickness substantially equal to the total of the thicknesses of the articular element and the sizing elements used in conjunction with the articular element.