Prosthesis Coupling Mechanism for Minimally Invasive Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical prostheses require larger incisions for assembly, which complicates minimally invasive surgical procedures and prolongs recovery times due to the complexity of coupling multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism involving male and female engagement elements with protrusions, detents, and biasing members allows for secure alignment and assembly of prosthesis components through minimally invasive openings, enabling efficient coupling of prosthetic components such as stems and trays in situ or ex situ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used to join prosthesis components, then secure connection is achieved, but larger incisions are required and surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct modular components: a male coupling element with protrusion and detent, a female coupling element with recess and shelf, and an independent locking device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling assembly through minimally invasive approaches, reducing surgical complexity while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent is nested within the protrusion of the male coupling element, and the locking device is inserted through a separate access site to engage with both coupling elements. This nesting arrangement allows compact design that fits within the prosthesis structure while enabling simplified surgical insertion through small incisions.
2Length of moving object
If multiple prosthesis components are assembled through minimally invasive openings, then incision size is reduced, but coupling precision and alignment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The male coupling element features an asymmetric protrusion with a detent positioned at a specific location, while the female coupling element has a corresponding asymmetric recess with a shelf. This asymmetric design provides unique orientation cues that guide proper alignment during insertion through minimally invasive openings, ensuring precise component positioning without requiring large incisions for manual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion and detent are pre-configured on the male coupling element, and the corresponding recess and shelf are pre-configured on the female coupling element, so that when the components are brought together through small incisions, the asymmetric features automatically guide alignment and engagement, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to prevent component separation, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detent on the male coupling element automatically engages with the shelf on the female coupling element when the components are inserted, creating a self-locking mechanism that prevents separation without requiring additional active components. The spring-loaded detent provides automatic engagement and disengagement capability, ensuring reliable connection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device acts as an intermediary component that bridges the male and female coupling elements. It features an extension that engages with the undercut on the protrusion and a head that can be accessed through a separate opening for manipulation. This intermediary design provides secure locking while allowing independent access for assembly and disassembly, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates the assembly of prosthetic components with reduced incision size, enhancing surgical efficiency and recovery by allowing for secure and precise engagement of prosthetic components without the need for extensive openings, applicable across various joint prostheses like ankles, hips, and knees.
Implementation Method 1
the detent being biased by a biasing member
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods are disclosed for joining multiple components of a prosthesis. For example, a system includes a first component having a body extending from a first end to a second end. Each of the first and second ends including a coupling element. At least one end including a male coupling element including a detent disposed within a hole defined by a protrusion, the detent being biased by a biasing member. A method includes coupling a first component to a second component. Coupling the first component to the second component includes aligning a female engagement element provided by the first component with a male coupling component provided by the second component and inserting the male coupling element into the female coupling element.