Monoblock Acetabular Implant Stress Diffusion Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acetabular surgical implants for segmental pelvic defects are inadequate due to high failure rates, requiring multiple devices and materials, causing unnecessary pain, prolonged recovery, and increased risk of dislocation and revision surgery, as they do not allow bone growth and transmit forces between multiple implants.
Innovation Solution
A unitary, monoblock medical device with a hemispherical cup and a ribbed stress-diffusion element that is directly mounted on the pelvis, allowing stress transfer and bone growth, eliminating the need for additional implants or adhesives, and secured via optional screws for optimal screw placement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional modular reconstructive medical devices are used, then the device can be assembled from multiple components, but the device has high failure rates due to fatigue and micromotion between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (cage, shell, augments) into a single monolithic implant structure. This eliminates the interfaces between components that cause micromotion and fatigue, thereby resolving the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through geometric customization while achieving reliability through structural unity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional reconstructive medical devices are used, then the device can address bone loss, but the device does not allow bone growth and is never incorporated into the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic implant structure incorporates porous surfaces and internal architecture that facilitate bone ingrowth and osseointegration. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reconstructive capability through geometric customization while enabling bone incorporation through biomimetic porous structures.
3Strength
If flanged cage constructs are used to address bone loss, then the device can be fixed to intact bone portions, but extensive soft tissue exposure and muscle stripping must be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a flanged cage design that requires lateral soft tissue exposure to a monolithic structure that can be approached and implanted through a single anterior approach. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fixation strength through direct bone-to-implant contact while eliminating the need for extensive soft tissue dissection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple implants are used to reconstruct pelvic defects, then the device can address complex bone loss, but forces are transmitted between multiple implants causing micromotion and high failure rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (cup, cage, augments) into a single monolithic structure that acts as one integrated load-bearing unit. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining defect coverage capability through geometric customization while eliminating force transmission between separate implants, thereby preventing micromotion and enhancing structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical implant includes a hemispherical cup having a bone-abutment exterior surface defining a convex side of the hemispherical cup and an interior surface defining a concave side of the hemispherical cup with a cavity, and a stress-diffusion element extending directly from the bone-abutment exterior surface of the hemispherical cup at an anteverted orientation to the hemispherical cup. The implant may further include at least one aperture defined by a circumferential surface extending between the bone-abutment exterior surface and the interior surface, the at least one aperture operable to receive a screw therethrough.