Modular Talar Fixation With Angled Holes to Preserve Bone Stock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing total ankle replacement technologies face challenges in securely anchoring talar and tibial implants due to the need for precise alignment and fixation, often requiring invasive bone modifications and materials that do not mimic the natural range of motion of the ankle joint.
Innovation Solution
A talar implant system with angled fastener holes and fastener caps that allow for variable angle screw fixation, enabling secure coupling to the talus while minimizing bone removal and maintaining natural joint motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixation methods are used to securely anchor talar and tibial implants, then implant stability is improved, but invasive bone modifications and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a modular fixation system with intermediate components (fasteners, fastener caps, retention features) that mediate between the implant and bone, providing secure anchoring without requiring extensive invasive bone modifications. The fastener cap acts as an intermediary element that couples the fastener to the implant body, distributing loads and reducing the need for aggressive bone preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is divided into separate modular components including the implant body, fasteners, fastener caps, and retention features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while reducing the overall invasiveness of the fixation process compared to monolithic traditional fixation methods.
2Reliability
If precise alignment and fixation are required for talar and tibial implants, then implant stability is improved, but device complexity and surgical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular fixation system components serve multiple functions: fasteners provide mechanical anchoring, fastener caps distribute loads and simplify alignment, and retention features maintain positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant design incorporates pre-configured retention features and fastener hole orientations that establish proper alignment before final fixation. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of achieving precise alignment during surgery, as the components are designed to self-align or guide alignment through their geometric features.
3Reliability
If traditional total ankle replacement is performed with invasive bone modifications, then implant anchoring is improved, but natural joint motion and range of motion are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the fixation approach by changing parameters such as fastener angle (allowing variable angle fixation), fastener hole orientation, and component geometry to accommodate natural joint motion. These parameter changes enable secure anchoring while preserving the ability of the joint to move through its natural range of motion, unlike rigid traditional fixation methods.
4Manufacturing precision
If additional bone is removed from the talus to make space for talar stem, then implant fit is improved, but bone stock and structural integrity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the minimal necessary bone material required for implant fit and fixation, rather than removing extensive bone stock. The modular fixation system allows for precise extraction of bone only where needed for fastener insertion, preserving the majority of the talus bone stock and maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A talar implant system comprises a body. The body includes a bone contact surface and an articulation surface located opposite the bone contact surface. The body defines at least one angled fastener hole extending therethrough from the articulation surface to the bone contact surface along a longitudinal axis. The articulation surface is configured to mimic articulation of the talar dome. A fastener is sized and configured to be received within the at least one fastener hole at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastener hole. A fastener cap is sized and configured to be received within a proximal end of the at least one fastener hole. The fastener cap couples the body to the fastener.