Removable Fossa Lining for TMJ Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacements face challenges in providing sufficient structural support and maintaining functionality due to wear and tear, with complications arising from osseointegration and the difficulty of replacing failed components without disturbing bone structures.

Innovation Solution

A TMJ replacement system featuring a condylar component secured to the mandibular bone and a fossa component with a removable fossa lining, allowing for post-implantation removal and replacement, utilizing anatomically-contoured and textured surfaces for osseointegration, and manufactured from biocompatible materials like titanium alloy and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene to ensure stability and movement mimicry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fossa component is made as a single integrated piece secured to bone, then structural support and stability are improved, but the ability to replace worn components post-implantation is lost and surgery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidreplaceability of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The fossa component is divided into two separable parts: a fossa backing that is permanently secured to the zygomatic bone, and a removable fossa lining that interfaces with the condylar head. This segmentation allows the lining to be replaced after implantation while maintaining the structural support provided by the backing, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and replaceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the fossa lining is permanently secured to the fossa backing, then structural stability is improved, but post-implantation removal and replacement becomes difficult requiring bone disturbance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of fossa componentVSAvoidease of post-implantation removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface between the fossa lining and fossa backing is designed to be dynamically changeable - initially providing stable connection during implantation, then allowing easy separation for replacement. The lateral-oriented attachment mechanism enables the lining to be removed without disturbing the backing or bone structures, maintaining stability when needed while enabling easy operation for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the attachment mechanism is oriented vertically, then bone interface stability is improved, but post-implantation access for replacement requires disturbing bone structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone interface stabilityVSAvoidsurgery complexity for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is oriented laterally rather than vertically, changing the dimensional approach to the interface. This lateral orientation allows the fossa lining to be accessed and replaced through a lateral approach that does not require disturbing the bone structures or the bone-interfacing surfaces, simplifying the surgery while maintaining bone interface stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of repair

If the fossa lining is made removable, then ease of replacement is improved, but structural support and osseointegration may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacementVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The structural support function is allocated to the fossa backing that is permanently secured to the bone, while the removable fossa lining provides the articulating surface. This functional segmentation ensures that the permanent backing maintains structural integrity and osseointegration, while the removable lining can be easily replaced without compromising the support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fossa component utilizes composite construction with the backing and lining made from different materials optimized for their specific functions - the backing providing structural support and osseointegration, and the lining providing the articulating surface with appropriate wear characteristics. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12115078B2Replaceable fossa component for a temporomandibular joint replacement system

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 MAXONIQ PTY LTD

AI summary

A temporomandibular joint replacement system includes a condylar component secured with a mandibular bone and a fossa component with a fossa backing secured with a zygomatic bone and slidably attached with a removable fossa lining, the fossa lining having an open-ended concave fossa dome with a post-center peak to allow for mediolateral and anterior translation with a rounded, oblong condylar head of the condylar component. The slidable attachment mechanism of the fossa backing and fossa lining is laterally-oriented to allow for post-implantation removal and replacement without disturbing any bone or bone-interfacing components. The bone-interfacing surfaces are anatomically-contoured to their respective bone surfaces and formed with materials and textures which promote osseointegration with the joint replacement.