Patellar Implant for Tendon Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical methods for treating patella-femoral joint issues such as pain, chondromalacia, and arthritis are invasive and result in prolonged recovery times, as they often involve cutting and reattaching the patellar tendon to realign the patella.
Innovation Solution
A patellar implant with a superior, inferior, and anterior portion is used to elevate and/or tilt the patellar tendon, realigning the patella by being inserted beneath the patellar tendon and affixed to the tibia or patellar tendon, reducing the need for invasive procedures and promoting quicker recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical techniques are used to realign the patella by detaching and reattaching the patellar tendon, then the patella alignment is improved, but the invasiveness of the procedure increases and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an implant as an intermediary device placed between the patellar tendon and the tibia. This implant acts as a mediator to achieve patellar realignment without requiring detachment and reattachment of the patellar tendon, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness and recovery time while still achieving the desired alignment correction
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into distinct segments including a superior portion that contacts the patellar tendon, an inferior portion that contacts the tibia, and lateral portions for stabilization. This segmentation allows the implant to perform multiple functions (elevation, tilting, and stabilization) simultaneously while maintaining a minimally invasive approach
2Manufacturing precision
If the patellar tendon is detached and reattached at a new location to realign the patella, then the alignment is corrected, but the surgical complexity and recovery duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-configured with specific geometric features (wedges, ramps, or angled surfaces) that automatically provide the desired elevation and tilting of the patellar tendon when inserted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intraoperative tendon manipulation and reattachment procedures, significantly reducing surgery time and subsequent recovery duration
Solution Approach 2:
The implant serves as a temporary structural mediator that maintains the corrected patellar position during healing, allowing early mobilization and reducing recovery time compared to direct tendon reattachment methods
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide and use a patellar implant. The patellar implant includes a superior portion, an inferior portion opposite to the superior portion, and an anterior portion. The superior portion being configured to reside below a patellar tendon and to elevate and/or tilt the patellar tendon. The inferior portion is configured to be seated in proximity to a tibia. The anterior portion is between the superior portion and the inferior portion. The anterior portion is placed in proximity to a patella. In one aspect, the method includes inserting the implant beneath the patellar tendon and between the patella and a position at which the patellar tendon is affixed to the tibia. In this aspect, the method also includes affixing the implant.