Radial Head Trial Implant with Removable Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining the proper height of a radial head implant in radial head replacement procedures lack a simple and effective means for trying different humeral head heights, leading to joint distraction and complexity in selecting the appropriate final implant size.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic trial implant assembly comprising a radial trial implant and spacers that can be removably attached to increase the composite head height, allowing for easier selection of the correct implant size by combining the head body and spacer heights, thereby simplifying the confirmation of final implant height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trial stems and trial heads are assembled to evaluate fit, then implant size selection is improved, but device complexity increases and joint distraction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The trial implant is divided into a stem portion and a head portion that can be separately assembled and evaluated. The stem portion is inserted into the medullary canal while the head portion is attached to evaluate different sizes and configurations independently, simplifying the selection process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A trial collar serves as an intermediary component that connects the stem portion to the head portion. This collar allows for easy assembly and disassembly of different head sizes onto the stem, providing a simple mechanism to evaluate multiple implant configurations without complex tooling.
2Measurement precision
If multiple trial components are assembled to determine implant height, then measurement accuracy is improved, but joint distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stem portion is inserted into the medullary canal and positioned at the correct depth before the head portion is attached. This preliminary positioning establishes the correct implant height reference point, allowing accurate height determination when the head is attached without requiring excessive distraction of the joint.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple separate trial components that require assembly and create joint distraction, the trial implant uses a integrated stem-c collar-head design where the collar provides mechanical reference points and depth indicators that eliminate the need for complex multi-component assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic trial implant having a plurality of bearing component augments of differing heights, where each augment releasably, slidably connected to the trial implant.