Stemless Shoulder Implant Multi-Anchor Fixation

Solution Overview

Problem

Stemless humeral implants face challenges in achieving proper fixation due to their reduced structure, making it difficult to maintain stability under varying loads and positions, which can lead to loosening and the need for replacement.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic implant system featuring a base with a proximal portion and a first anchor extending distally, combined with a secondary anchor that is inserted through a channel in the base, providing enhanced fixation by resisting pull-out and torque-out forces, especially in stemless humeral implants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If stemless humeral implants are used, then the implant structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the fixation stability is reduced making it difficult to maintain stability under varying loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant structure simplificationVSAvoidfixation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is divided into separate functional components: a stemless humeral implant base and separate anchors. The base provides simplified structure and ease of manufacture, while the anchors provide additional fixation stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the stemless humeral implant base with separate anchors to create a hybrid fixation system. The anchors are inserted through channels in the base and engage with the humeral bone, merging the simplified base structure with the stabilizing effect of anchors to achieve both ease of manufacture and fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If stemless humeral implants are used, then the implant has reduced structural complexity, but it becomes more difficult to achieve proper fixation under varying loads and positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant structure complexityVSAvoidfixation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is divided into separate functional components: a stemless humeral implant base and separate anchors. The base provides simplified structure and ease of manufacture, while the anchors provide additional fixation stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors act as intermediary elements between the simplified base and the humeral bone. They transmit and distribute the mechanical loads from the base to the bone, providing the necessary fixation reliability without increasing the complexity of the base structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If anchors are added to provide enhanced fixation, then the resistance to pull-out and torque-out forces is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to looseningVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is divided into separate functional components: a stemless humeral implant base and separate anchors. The base provides simplified structure and ease of manufacture, while the anchors provide additional fixation stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors are inserted through channels in the base and engage within the humeral bone, creating a nested configuration. The base contains the channels that guide and accommodate the anchors, while the anchors extend into the bone to provide fixation. This nesting approach integrates multiple fixation functions within a unified structural framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20230149176A1Multi-Direction Fixation for Shoulder Prosthesis

Publication Date: 2023.05.18 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a prosthetic implant system includes a first articulation component, a base, and a second anchor. The base may have a proximal portion and a first anchor extending in a distal direction along a longitudinal first anchor axis. The proximal portion of the base may be configured to couple to the first articulation component. The second anchor may be formed separately from the base and may extend along a longitudinal second anchor axis. The base may include a channel extending from a first opening in the proximal portion of the base through a second opening in a distal portion of the first anchor. The channel may be sized and shaped to receive the second anchor therethrough. When the second anchor is received within the channel, the longitudinal first anchor axis may be oblique to the longitudinal second anchor axis.