Ossicle Prosthesis Ball Joint Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ossicle prostheses lack postoperative flexibility and variability, leading to unpredictable force distribution and potential eardrum penetration, and require multiple lengths or complex adjustments during surgery, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The ossicle prosthesis features a 'ball chain' design where the elongated shaft is adjustable in length by snapping balls into recesses within the ball joint, allowing for compact, economical construction and automatic postoperative adaptation to anatomical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection between the head plate and the shaft is used, then structural stability is improved, but postoperative flexibility and automatic adaptation to eardrum position are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid connection with a ball joint connection between the head plate and the shaft. This ball joint allows the shaft to pivot and adjust its position automatically in response to postoperative changes in eardrum position, providing the necessary flexibility while maintaining structural integrity. The joint transforms the static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the orientation and position parameters of the shaft relative to the head plate to change automatically after surgery. The ball joint enables the shaft to adjust its angular position and orientation in response to hydrostatic forces and eardrum movement, changing its geometric parameters to maintain optimal alignment without requiring surgical intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prostheses of different lengths are kept on hand, then adaptability to individual patient anatomy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the shaft into modular sections with standardized lengths. The shaft can be cut to the required length during surgery, and the ball joint design accommodates different shaft lengths without requiring different prosthesis models. This modular approach allows a single prosthesis design to serve multiple anatomical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single prosthesis model with a standardized head plate and ball joint configuration that can accommodate various shaft lengths. The universal design allows the same prosthesis to be used across different patient anatomies by simply adjusting the shaft length, eliminating the need for multiple specialized prosthesis variants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is made variable in length with adjustment mechanisms, then adaptability to individual patient needs is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-manufacturing shafts in standardized modular lengths. The variability in final shaft length is achieved by simple cutting to the required length during surgery, rather than by complex adjustable mechanisms. This preliminary preparation of standardized components simplifies manufacturing while maintaining postoperative adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An ossicle prosthesis (10) includes a first securing element (11) and a second securing element (12), the second securing element connected to a member of the ossicle chain. The ossicle chain ends at the first securing element in a ball joint, which includes two struts (13, 13′) solidly connected to the first securing element (11). The two struts enclose a gaplike space, in which a ball (14) is pivotably supported in two recesses (15), the ball (14) being part of an elongated shaft (16) that connects the first and second securing elements and includes many balls (14, 14′, 14″) adjacent to one another. The elongated shaft is displaceable through the gaplike space between the two struts and through a perforation (17) in the first securing element, where one of the balls snaps between the respective recesses. The gaplike space can be made narrower between the two struts (13, 13′) of the ball joint for fixation of the shaft (16) after the desired length has been adjusted.