Multi-Axis Anchoring Elements for Glenoid Prosthesis Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glenoid components in shoulder arthroplasty face challenges with axial pull-out, rotational pull-out, and side-to-side translation due to inadequate fixation mechanisms, especially in oblique or tapered implantation sites, leading to potential loosening and failure.
Innovation Solution
The development of anchoring elements with multi-directional fixation capabilities, featuring dowels and triangular reinforcement plates that project at angles and include surface features like ridges, grooves, and fenestrations to resist forces in multiple planes, enhancing the fit and stability within the bone tunnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-axis fixation pegs or keels are used in glenoid components, then the implantation procedure is simpler, but the resistance to pull-out forces (axial, rotational, and side-to-side translation) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring element is divided into multiple functional segments: a central dowel portion and multiple triangular reinforcement plates positioned at different orientations. Each segment resists specific方向的pull-out forces, collectively providing comprehensive fixation stability against axial, rotational, and side-to-side translation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism transitions from single-axis (one-dimensional) resistance to multi-axis (three-dimensional) resistance by adding triangular reinforcement plates oriented at different angles. This dimensional expansion allows the anchoring element to resist pull-out forces from multiple directions simultaneously, including axial, rotational, and side-to-side translation forces.
2Reliability
If surface features like ridges and grooves are added to enhance fixation, then the resistance to pull-out improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring element incorporates a porous outer surface with interconnected pores, providing a large surface area for bone ingrowth and enhanced fixation strength. This porous structure is formed through controlled manufacturing processes that create the desired porosity without requiring complex surface feature fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring element is made from a porous metal material that combines mechanical strength with bone-ingrowth capability. The composite structure of the porous metal provides both structural integrity for load-bearing and surface characteristics for biological fixation, eliminating the need for additional surface features.
3Ease of operation
If the anchoring element is designed for oblique implantation trajectories, then surgical access is simplified and less invasive, but the fixation stability in tapered or conical bone structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular reinforcement plates are positioned asymmetrically at different orientations around the central dowel, allowing the anchoring element to adapt to oblique implantation trajectories while maintaining fixation stability. The asymmetric configuration ensures that at least one reinforcement plate is optimally positioned to resist pull-out forces regardless of the implantation angle or bone structure geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
Arthroplasty components include an articular surface and a bone-facing surface. In some examples, the bone-facing surface bears at least one anchoring element adapted for an oblique implantation trajectory. The anchoring element includes a reinforcement plate, a dowel, and surface features. Each surface feature resists forces acting along a different direction. In other examples, the bone-facing surface bears anchoring elements that deform along the primary or longest axis of the anchoring element during insertion. In yet other examples, the bone-facing surface is enlarged relative to the articular surface so that at least a portion of the perimeter of the articular surface is circumscribed by the perimeter of the bone-facing surface.