Prosthetic Component with Integrated Fixation Pads

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional prosthetic joint components, such as those for the knee and hip, face challenges with wear debris and fixation with the host bone due to their material properties, particularly the flexibility of polymeric materials which hinder bone ingrowth surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic component design featuring fixation pads made of biocompatible materials like titanium or zirconium, integrated with a polymeric body that promotes bone ingrowth and attachment, using porous surfaces and materials like PEEK, and incorporating features like bone morphogenetic protein to enhance integration and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If polymeric materials are used for the prosthetic body, then wear debris is decreased, but fixation with host bone deteriorates due to flexibility and lack of bone ingrowth surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear debrisVSAvoidfixation with host bone

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic component is divided into two distinct material zones: a polymeric body portion for wear resistance and metal fixation pads for bone attachment. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function independently, resolving the contradiction between wear performance and fixation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining polymeric material (for the body) with metallic material (for fixation pads). This composite approach leverages the advantages of both materials: the polymer's low wear debris generation and the metal's superior fixation properties, thereby resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional cobalt chromium materials are used, then fixation with host bone is improved, but wear debris increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation with host boneVSAvoidwear debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic component is divided into two distinct material zones: a polymeric body portion for wear resistance and metal fixation pads for bone attachment. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function independently, resolving the contradiction between wear performance and fixation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining polymeric material (for the body) with metallic material (for fixation pads). This composite approach leverages the advantages of both materials: the polymer's low wear debris generation and the metal's superior fixation properties, thereby resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The design improves fixation strength and wear resistance, allowing for better integration with bone tissue and reducing wear debris, thereby enhancing the longevity and functionality of prosthetic implants.

Implementation Method 1

the fixation pads may be formed of a first material suitable for attachment to bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone ingrowth:

Data Source

PatentUS9848986B2Joint replacement component with integrated fixation pads

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 SMITH & NEPHEW INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a prosthetic component includes a plurality of fixation pads coupled to a body portion. The fixation pads may be formed of a first material suitable for attachment to bone, and the body portion may be formed of a second material different from the first material and suitable to provide a bearing surface for a joint.