Removable Taper Member Glenoid Implant for Adjustable Joint Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reverse shoulder implant systems lack the flexibility to adjust the taper region without disrupting established bone ingrowth, limiting the ability to customize the fit and potentially leading to issues like scapular notching and implant loosening due to inadequate handling of bending moments.
Innovation Solution
A reverse shoulder implant system featuring a base plate with a removable taper member and a 60-degree Morse taper region, allowing for the interchangeability of taper members to accommodate different glenospheres and humeral components, enabling axial alignment and adjustable joint spacing to better fit individual anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed taper region is used in the base plate, then the implant structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to adjust the fit and accommodate different glenospheres is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is segmented into two main components: a fixed base plate structure and a removable taper member. This segmentation allows the taper region to be adjusted by removing and replacing the taper member, providing adaptability while keeping the base plate structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The taper region is made dynamic through the removable taper member design. Surgeons can remove the existing taper member and install a different one to adjust the taper angle or other parameters, enabling the implant to adapt to different anatomical requirements without redesigning the entire base plate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the taper member is removable and interchangeable, then customization and adjustment are improved, but the risk of disruption to bone ingrowth and implant stability increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the implant into a stable base plate (which remains fixed in the bone) and a removable taper member, the design allows customization through taper replacement while maintaining implant stability through the secure, permanent fixation of the base plate to the bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is first secured to the bone with established bone ingrowth, creating a stable foundation. Only after this preliminary stabilization is achieved can the taper member be safely removed and replaced without disrupting the bone-implant interface, thus maintaining reliability while enabling customization.
3Manufacturing precision
If the base plate includes threaded rod with lead-in section, then axial alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lead-in section is incorporated into the threaded rod design to preliminarily guide and align the taper member axially before the final threading engagement. This preliminary alignment action ensures precise positioning while the threading mechanism itself remains a standard, easy-to-manufacture feature.
Data Source
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AI summary
A glenoid component can include a base plate (110). A glenosphere (112) can be configured to be mountable to the base plate. The glenosphere can be adapted to operate with a complementary humeral component (102). The base plate can include a removable taper member (302) on a side of the base plate facing the glenosphere. The taper member can be configured to mount the glenosphere to the base plate. The removable taper member allows revision of the glenoid component without removal of the components fixed to the bone.