Tibial Insert Keel Bore for Fastener Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unicompartmental knee replacement surgeries face challenges in providing less invasive solutions due to technical difficulties in effectively addressing bone quality and keel arrangement during knee arthroplasty, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and bone preservation.
Innovation Solution
A tibial insert with a platform and multiple keels of varying orientations and dimensions, along with a surgical method that involves assessing bone quality and forming slots corresponding to the keel arrangement, allowing for customized implantation and improved bone preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional keel arrangements are used in tibial inserts, then the implantation process is simplified, but bone preservation and fixation precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tibial insert is divided into multiple keels (typically three keels) with different orientations and dimensions, allowing each keel to be optimized for specific bone quality zones. This segmentation enables precise adaptation to varying bone densities and anatomical conditions without requiring a completely custom-designed implant.
Solution Approach 2:
Each keel is designed with specific local characteristics including varying lengths, widths, and orientations tailored to match the bone quality at different locations within the tibial plateau. The keels can be configured with different cross-sectional shapes and surface treatments to optimize fixation in regions of poor bone quality while preserving healthy bone structures.
2Ease of operation
If less invasive surgical techniques are employed, then patient recovery is accelerated, but the ability to address poor bone quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The keel arrangement is pre-configured based on preoperative planning and intraoperative assessment of bone quality. Surgeons can select from multiple keel configurations before implantation, allowing optimal adaptation to the patient's specific bone conditions without requiring extensive bone resection or preparation during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The keel parameters (length, width, orientation, cross-sectional shape) are varied to match the specific bone quality parameters identified during surgical assessment. This allows the implant to adapt to different bone densities and anatomical variations while maintaining a minimally invasive surgical approach with smaller incisions and less bone removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A tibial insert includes a platform defining an upper bearing surface and a bottom surface. A keel of the tibial insert is coupled to the bottom surface of the platform and includes a bore extending along a width of the keel. The bore is formed to receive a fastener therein.