Multiplanar Patellar Tendon Implant for Minimally Invasive Realignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical options for treating patella-femoral joint issues, such as malalignment and arthritis, are invasive and result in prolonged recovery times, while existing implants only adjust the patellar tendon in a single plane, lacking comprehensive realignment.

Innovation Solution

Multiplanar implants with complex tendon contact surfaces that allow for rotation, tilting, and translation of the patellar tendon in multiple planes, providing a minimally-invasive alternative for realignment and unloading the tendon.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical options are used for treating patella-femoral joint issues, then realignment can be achieved, but the surgery becomes very invasive and results in prolonged recovery times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealignment effectivenessVSAvoidinvasiveness and recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant acts as an intermediary device positioned between the patellar tendon and tibia to achieve realignment without requiring invasive surgical procedures. The implant includes a tendon contact surface that interfaces with the patellar tendon and a bone contact surface that interfaces with the tibia, serving as a mediator to transfer and redirect forces for proper alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces invasive mechanical surgical procedures (such as osteotomies or tendon releases) with a minimally invasive implant-based mechanical system. The complex geometric tendon contact surface provides the realignment function through its geometry rather than through invasive surgical manipulation of bone or tendon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing single-plane implants are used, then one aspect of tendon positioning can be adjusted, but comprehensive realignment in multiple planes cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetendon positioning adjustmentVSAvoidimplant geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant transitions from adjusting tendon position in a single plane to adjusting position in multiple planes through its complex geometric tendon contact surface. This multiplanar capability allows the implant to address both sagittal plane elevation and coronal plane alignment simultaneously, providing comprehensive realignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The single implant structure performs multiple functions: it elevates the patellar tendon away from the tibia (unloading function) and simultaneously realigns the tendon medially or laterally (realignment function). The complex geometric tendon contact surface integrates both elevation and realignment capabilities into one device, eliminating the need for separate implants for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the implant uses a complex geometric tendon contact surface, then multiplanar realignment can be achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealignment precisionVSAvoidimplant fabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex geometric tendon contact surface is defined by specific geometric parameters including radius of curvature, angle of inclination, and orientation. By controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the implant achieves precise multiplanar realignment capabilities. The geometry is designed to provide specific elevation and realignment angles to correct patella-femoral malalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12551330B2Multiplanar tendon realignment implants and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 ZKR ORTHOPEDICS INC

AI summary

Orthopedic implants having an implant body, a bone contact surface, and a tendon contact surface, wherein the tendon contact surface comprises an elevation ramp sloping downward from the proximal side to the distal side of the implant body and a realignment ramp sloping downward from the lateral side to the medial side of the implant body. Also disclosed are methods for repositioning a tendon that include inserting an orthopedic implant having a complex geometry tendon engagement surface between the tendon and a bone, engaging a bone engagement surface of the orthopedic implant with the bone, engaging a tendon surface with the tendon engagement surface; and causing a repositioning of the tendon via the complex geometry tendon engagement surface by at least one of (a) rotating the tendon along its axial plane, and (b) translating or shifting the tendon along its horizontal plane.