Modular Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis for Bone-Sparing Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoulder arthroplasty procedures face challenges in converting from anatomic to reverse reconstruction due to difficulty in removing integrated implant parts, leading to potential bone loss and inaccuracy in achieving desired implant inclination angles.

Innovation Solution

A modular reverse shoulder prosthesis system that allows conversion between humeral head replacement and reverse reconstruction without removing integrated parts, utilizing interchangeable inserts and broaches with pivoting necks to achieve precise implant inclination angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If anatomic devices are removed during revision surgery to perform reverse reconstruction, then the reverse reconstruction can be performed, but excessive bone loss occurs and the procedure becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion capabilityVSAvoidbone loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into separable components: a humeral stem component that remains integrated with the patient's anatomy and interchangeable tray/insert assemblies that can be exchanged without removing the stem. This segmentation enables conversion from anatomic to reverse reconstruction while preserving the integrated stem and avoiding bone loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humeral stem component is designed to serve multiple functions: it can support both anatomic humeral head replacements and reverse reconstruction configurations. By making the stem universal and the tray/insert assemblies interchangeable, the system enables conversion between different reconstruction types without removing the integrated stem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a fixed inclination angle stem is used in reverse reconstruction, then the implantation is simplified, but the desired implant inclination angle cannot be precisely achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation simplicityVSAvoidimplant inclination angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces angular adjustability through interchangeable inserts with different inclination angles (e.g., 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°). This dynamic configuration allows the implant inclination angle to be precisely tailored to the patient's anatomy and surgical requirements while maintaining relatively simple implantation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle parameter of the prosthesis can be changed by exchanging inserts with different angular configurations. This enables precise control over the final implant inclination angle (ranging from 135° to 165°) without complicating the overall implantation process, as the stem insertion remains straightforward while the angular parameter is adjusted through insert selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4309631B1System for a modular reverse shoulder prosthesis
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED
  • EP4309631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4309631B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4309631B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The system comprises a humeral component having a proximal cavity, the proximal cavity including an inner sidewall. The system also comprises an insert having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end configured to engage the proximal cavity of the humeral component, the distal end of the insert including an outer sidewall, the outer sidewall formed about an insert axis, the proximal end including a concave articular surface. The system further comprises fins projecting inwardly from the inner sidewall of the proximal cavity, the fins projecting to an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer sidewall, the fins arranged with respect to the proximal cavity of the humeral component such that the fins secure the insert against rotation about the insert axis with respect to the humeral component.