Segmented Hip Joint Implant for Minimally Invasive Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hip joint replacement surgeries are invasive, requiring penetration of the hip joint capsule and significant bone modification, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of infection, with current methods often necessitating large incisions and bone cement for fixation.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with variable size components allowing for less invasive implantation by expanding or contracting to fit through smaller openings, minimizing capsule penetration and bone removal, using elastic materials and locking mechanisms for secure fixation without penetrating the cortex.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the artificial acetabulum surface is designed as a complete bowl-shaped structure, then it provides proper anatomical coverage and stability, but it cannot be inserted through a small incision in the pelvic bone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability through small incisionVSAvoidbowl-shaped coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial acetabulum surface is divided into multiple separate components (anterior wall, posterior wall, lateral wall, medial wall) that can be inserted independently through small incisions and then assembled together to form the complete bowl-shaped structure, resolving the contradiction between insertability and anatomical coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the artificial hip joint components are inserted through a large incision, then proper positioning and alignment can be achieved, but the surgical trauma and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsurgical trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the acetabulum surface into multiple smaller components, each component can be inserted through a small incision with adequate exposure for precise positioning, eliminating the need for a large incision while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate components are used to form the artificial acetabulum surface, then insertability through small incisions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability through small incisionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate components are designed with complementary geometries that allow them to interlock and merge into a unified bowl-shaped structure, providing the benefits of segmented insertion while achieving structural integration through precise geometric fitting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4385463A2Hip joint device and method
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 IMPLANTICA PATENT LTD
  • EP4385463A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385463A2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4385463A2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A medical device system for implantation in a hip joint for providing at least one artificial hip joint surface for a patient, the medical device system comprising an artificial caput femur surface (45); or an artificial acetabulum surface (65) being at least partly bowl-shaped. The system has a largest cross-sectional distance being variable such that the medical device system can be inserted through a hole (18) in the pelvic bone (9), from the abdominal side of the pelvic bone, the hole having a diameter smaller than said largest cross-sectional distance. Further the artificial acetabulum surface (65) comprises at least two parts (45', 45", 46, 53a, 53b, 54b, 56, 63, 64a,) which are adapted to be interconnected to form an interconnected medical device when in use.