Tethered Joint Bearing Implant Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic joint replacement surgeries are invasive, leading to prolonged recovery times, significant scar tissue formation, and increased risk of infection due to large incisions and extensive bone resection, as well as difficulties in fitting, adjusting, and replacing implants.
Innovation Solution
The development of minimally invasive methods and systems for preparing orthopedic joint surfaces, using guide assemblies, rasp assemblies, and anchoring systems to mount implants with minimal bone resection and soft tissue impact, allowing for easier implant fitting, adjustment, and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional open surgery techniques are used to expose the resected end face of tibia and femur for implant mounting, then full exposure is achieved for screw insertion and socket formation, but the incision size is large, soft tissue damage is significant, and recovery time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is divided into separate components: a base plate that interfaces with the resected bone surface and a bearing component that attaches to the base plate. This segmentation allows the base plate to be positioned and secured first, providing a stable foundation for subsequent bearing attachment without requiring continuous large incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is pre-positioned and secured to the resected bone surface before the bearing component is attached. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation that enables subsequent steps to be performed through smaller incisions, as the base plate already provides structural support and alignment.
2Strength
If conventional implants are screwed into or pounded onto the bone during placement, then secure fixation is achieved, but the fitting, adjustment, and replacement of different implants becomes difficult and potentially damaging to the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into a base plate that is permanently secured to the bone and a bearing component that can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the bearing to be exchanged without disturbing the bone-anchored base plate, facilitating easy adjustment and replacement while maintaining strong fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the base plate and bearing component is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the bearing to be detached and reattached multiple times. This dynamic connection enables adjustment and replacement of the bearing while the base plate remains securely anchored to the bone.
3Ease of operation
If large incisions are made to fully expose the joint for conventional joint replacement, then complete access to the joint is achieved, but scar tissue formation is significant and infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into multiple smaller access points: one for positioning and securing the base plate, and another smaller incision for attaching the bearing component. This segmentation reduces the size of individual incisions and total soft tissue disruption compared to a single large incision required for conventional implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is positioned and secured through a minimally invasive approach before the bearing component is attached through a smaller secondary incision. This preliminary positioning reduces the need for large incisions, as the base plate provides structural guidance and stability for subsequent steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple different sized implants are tested during the fitting stage to determine best fit and alignment, then optimal implant selection is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and potentially damaging to the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple bearing sizes and configurations. This multi-functionality allows the surgeon to test different bearing options while using the same base plate, reducing the need to repeatedly remove and replace entire implant assemblies and minimizing bone exposure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is pre-positioned and secured to the bone with proper alignment before bearing selection and attachment. This preliminary alignment establishes the correct positioning once, allowing multiple bearing options to be tested and attached without requiring repeated bone exposure and realignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for resurfacing at least a portion of an articulation surface of a bone includes a body having a first side with a top articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface. The bone apposition surface is adapted to bias against a natural or resected articulation surface of a bone. An elongated flexible first line is coupled to and extends from the body.