Shoulder Prosthetic Stem-Plate Structure for Proximal Humerus Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shoulder joint repairs face challenges in maintaining the normal spatial relationship between the 'ball' and 'socket' when the proximal part of the humerus is severely damaged, necessitating the use of bone grafts which are costly and difficult to shape, and may require revision if the repair fails.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic component comprising a stem portion, a cup portion, and a plate that extends away from the stem, allowing for joint reconstruction without the need for bone grafts, providing stability and proper mechanical functioning by supporting shoulder muscles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bone grafts are used to provide additional bony structure when the proximal humerus is damaged, then the required stability and physical orientation for proper mechanical functioning can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more expensive, more complex, and requires additional surgical skills to properly shape the bone grafts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of joint repairVSAvoidcomplexity of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic component is divided into distinct segments: a stem portion for insertion into the humerus, a cup portion for receiving the ball portion, and a plate portion for providing additional structural support. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function independently, eliminating the need for complex bone graft shaping while achieving the required stability and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate portion acts as an intermediary structural element between the stem and the cup, providing the necessary additional bony structure and orientation without requiring actual bone graft material. This intermediary component simplifies the surgical procedure by eliminating the need for surgeons to shape and insert complex bone grafts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bone grafts are used to reconstruct the joint, then the necessary physical orientation and stability can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more expensive and difficult to perform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of joint repairVSAvoidease of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic component is divided into distinct segments: a stem portion for insertion into the humerus, a cup portion for receiving the ball portion, and a plate portion for providing additional structural support. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function independently, eliminating the need for complex bone graft shaping while achieving the required stability and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and difficult-to-manage bone graft materials with a standardized, manufactured prosthetic component that can be produced at lower cost and inserted without requiring advanced surgical shaping skills. The prosthetic component serves as a permanent replacement rather than a temporary or consumable material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If a conventional humeral stem is used, then the prosthesis can be inserted, but it cannot provide sufficient stability and proper physical orientation when the proximal part of the humerus is severely damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of prosthesis insertionVSAvoidstability of joint repair

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic component is divided into distinct segments: a stem portion for insertion into the humerus, a cup portion for receiving the ball portion, and a plate portion for providing additional structural support. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function independently, eliminating the need for complex bone graft shaping while achieving the required stability and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The addition of the plate portion extends the prosthetic structure into a new spatial dimension beyond the simple stem-cup configuration. This extended structure provides additional attachment points and structural support in directions that a conventional stem cannot achieve, ensuring proper physical orientation and stability even when the proximal humerus is severely damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12544232B2Orthopedic components

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ENCORE MEDICAL L P (D B A DJO SURGICAL)

AI summary

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to orthopedic components. In some embodiments, an orthopedic component comprises a stem portion including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the stem portion is configured to be inserted into a bone, an anatomical portion located at the proximal end of the stem portion, and a plate extending away from the stem portion such that a gap exists between the plate and the stem portion, wherein at least a portion of the plate extends toward the distal end of the stem portion.