Talar Dome Implant Geometry for Navicular and Calcaneus Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current total talar implants do not allow for fusion with either the navicular and/or calcaneus, leaving limited options for patients with talar necrosis or subsidence, with ankle fusion or amputation being the primary choices, and amputation being undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A talar dome prosthesis with a mounting surface featuring at least three non-co-planar flat bone-contacting surfaces and a guide instrument for precise reaming and cutting to simplify the preparation of the talus for implantation, reducing the number of required cuts from four to three.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current total talar implants are used, then the implant can be attached to the talus bone, but fusion with the navicular and/or calcaneus is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting surface is segmented into multiple non-co-planar flat bone-contacting surfaces, each capable of contacting different bone structures. This segmentation allows the single implant to interface with multiple bones (talus, navicular, calcaneus) simultaneously, enabling fusion capabilities without requiring multiple separate implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting surface is designed with at least three non-co-planar flat bone-contacting surfaces that can universally interface with different bone structures. This multi-functional design allows the same implant to serve multiple purposes: attaching to the talus bone and simultaneously enabling fusion with the navicular and/or calcaneus, thereby increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional talus preparation methods are used, then the talus can be prepared for implantation, but the number of required cuts is high (four cuts)
Solution Approach 1:
The guide instrument merges multiple cutting functions into a single integrated device. It simultaneously guides multiple cutting tools to create the necessary non-co-planar flat surfaces on the talus bone in one surgical step, reducing the number of separate cutting operations from four to three, thereby improving surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide instrument is designed to pre-establish the precise geometry and orientation of the mounting surface before implant insertion. By incorporating guide pins, reamer guides, and cutting guides into a single pre-configured instrument, the necessary bone preparation is accomplished in advance with fewer steps, reducing the number of required cuts while ensuring proper alignment.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
Provided is a prosthesis for ankle arthroplasty including a talar dome component configured to be attached to a talus bone. Also provided is a guide instrument for guiding a reamer to prepare a talus to receive the talar dome component.