Modular Spacer Device for Joint Articulation Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temporary spacer devices for hip and shoulder articulations lack the ability to adapt to varying anatomical dimensions, compromising compatibility and congruence, especially in cases of serious diseases, which affects patient mobility and quality of life during rehabilitation.
Innovation Solution
A modular adjustable temporary spacer device with a central body, head, and rod-like element, featuring adjustable connection means that allow for different inclinations and configurations, enabling adaptation to specific anatomical dimensions through interchangeable components and pharmaceutical/therapeutic product integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-dimensional spacer device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying anatomical dimensions of different patients
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is divided into multiple modular components including a head portion, a connection portion with adjustable elements, and a rod-like element. These segments can be independently selected and assembled to match different anatomical dimensions, allowing customization without requiring completely different device designs for each patient size.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the angle and relative positioning between the head portion and rod-like element to be modified. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same basic device structure to adapt to varying anatomical configurations, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular adjustable spacer device is used, then adaptability to different anatomical dimensions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are designed with standardized interfaces and universal connection mechanisms that can be assembled in multiple configurations. The same set of modular parts can serve different anatomical requirements through various assembly arrangements, reducing the total number of unique components needed while maintaining high adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are added to the spacer device, then adaptability is improved, but implantation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-designed with standardized connection interfaces and adjustment mechanisms that are prepared in advance. During implantation, the surgeon can quickly select and assemble the appropriate configuration without needing to perform complex adjustments or customizations intraoperatively, thereby reducing implantation time despite the adjustable capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If interchangeable components are used, then manufacturing complexity increases, but ease of operation during implantation improves
Solution Approach 1:
The interchangeable components are designed with standardized parameters and dimensions that follow systematic variations. This allows for efficient manufacturing processes where components can be produced using standardized tooling and assembly procedures, reducing the complexity increase that would normally accompany multi-component systems.
Data Source
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Figure 3I~3IV
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AI summary
An adjustable spacer modular device (1, 100) for the treatment of an articulation of the human body, comprising a fitting central body (2, 102) provided with an end having a substantially flat first surface (7, 107), a head (3, 103), adapted to be arranged within an articular cavity, wherein the head (3, 103) comprising a cap (9, 109) and a base (10, 110) opposite to said cap (9, 109), wherein the cap (9, 109) and the base (10, 110) are radiused to each other, a rod-like element (5, 105), adapted to be fixedly connected at a bone end, first means (4, 104) for connecting the head (3, 103) to the central body (2, 102), wherein the first connection means (4, 104) are adjustable and adapted to adjust the inclination of the head (3, 103) with respect to the central body (2, 102) along a longitudinal plane (50) and/or along a transverse plane (52) of the human body.