Nested Glenoid Implant Structure to Avoid Bone Milling and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glenoid implants face challenges such as displacement from the humeral component due to excessive thickness when a base plate is secured on the subchondral bone, requiring bone milling and lacking subchondral support, which can lead to implant subsidence and wear between metal and synthetic materials.
Innovation Solution
A glenoid implant design featuring a base plate with a support structure and openings for screw fixation into subchondral bone, allowing a removably coupled articular component with a recessed portion to maintain spacing and abut the subchondral bone, preventing wear and eliminating the need for bone milling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base plate is positioned on the subchondral bone, then the implant can be secured with screw fixation, but the combination of base plate and articular component becomes too thick and displaces the glenoid from the humeral component
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is inserted into the glenoid cavity and nested within the articular component, with the articular component's recessed portion receiving the base plate body. This nesting arrangement allows the base plate to be positioned on the subchondral bone for stable fixation while the articular component covers it, reducing the overall protruding thickness and preventing displacement from the humeral component.
2Ease of manufacture
If the base plate is loaded into the glenoid beyond the subchondral bone, then bone milling is avoided, but the glenoid implant lacks subchondral support and can subside
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is pre-configured with a support structure extending from its distal surface that is designed to be inserted into the subchondral bone during implantation. This preliminary structural design ensures that when the base plate is positioned, the support structure automatically engages the subchondral bone to provide necessary support and prevent subsidence, eliminating the need for bone milling while maintaining stability.
3Strength
If the base plate directly contacts the articular component, then structural integrity is maintained, but wear occurs between the metal base plate and synthetic articular body
Solution Approach 1:
A shock absorbing element is introduced as an intermediary between the metal base plate and the synthetic articular component. This mediator prevents direct contact between the dissimilar materials, eliminating wear while maintaining structural integrity through the engagement structures that connect the base plate to the articular component via the shock absorbing element.
4Adaptability or versatility
If engagement structures are provided for removable coupling, then component replacement is enabled, but the implant complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glenoid implant is segmented into distinct components: a base plate with engagement structures and an articular component with corresponding recessed portions and engagement features. This segmentation enables removable coupling where the articular component can be detached and replaced while the base plate remains in the glenoid, providing adaptability without requiring complete implant removal. The modular design achieves replaceability with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A glenoid implant including a base plate and an articular component. The base plate can include a body and a support structure extending from a distal surface of the body. The body can include a plurality of openings. The articular component can be configured to removably couple to the base plate. The articular component can include a recessed portion configured to at least partially receive the body of the base plate. At least one engagement structure can protrude from a distal facing surface of the recessed portion. Each engagement structure can correspond to one of the plurality of openings in the body. A distal face of the articular component surrounding the recessed portion can be configured to abut the subchondral bone.