Tibial Prosthesis Porous Insert for Soft Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint replacement surgeries face challenges in securely attaching soft tissue, such as ligaments and tendons, to prosthetic components due to the risk of single suture or wire failure under normal joint movements, particularly in revision surgeries or procedures involving significant bone removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of a filamentary attachment structure, including a baseplate, stem, and keel, with a filamentary receiving component that facilitates soft tissue connection and ingrowth, utilizing materials like synthetic polymers, bioresorbable fibers, ceramics, and biological materials to secure soft tissue to the joint prosthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single suture or wire is used to connect soft tissue to the prosthesis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates due to the risk of failure under joint movement forces
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into multiple independent sutures or wires instead of using a single connection element. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple connection points, reducing the stress on any single suture and preventing catastrophic failure if one connection is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates redundant connection elements (multiple sutures/wires) that serve as backup connections. If one suture or wire fails, the remaining connections continue to maintain the soft tissue-prosthesis attachment, providing a safety margin against connection failure.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional suture methods are used to attach soft tissue, then the ease of operation is improved, but the duration of action deteriorates due to insufficient long-term fixation strength
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis incorporates porous coating or porous structure on its surface at the attachment region. This porous material facilitates tissue ingrowth into the prosthesis structure, creating a biological anchor that strengthens the connection over time and provides long-term fixation beyond the initial surgical attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system combines traditional suture materials with porous biomaterials or bioactive coatings on the prosthesis. This composite approach integrates mechanical fixation (sutures) with biological integration (tissue ingrowth into porous structures), achieving both immediate stability and long-term durability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bone is removed during surgery, then the joint replacement is enabled, but the soft tissue connection points are lost along with the resected bone
Solution Approach 1:
When the tibial tubercle is resected, an intermediary device (such as a tibial tubercle transfer device or adaptive prosthesis component) is used to recreate the soft tissue attachment point. This intermediary structure provides a new anchor point for the patellar tendon, maintaining the extensor mechanism function despite the loss of the original bone attachment site.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis design shifts the attachment location to a different anatomical position or creates a new attachment dimension. Instead of relying on the resected tibial tubercle, the prosthesis provides attachment points on its structure that can accommodate soft tissue connections in alternative locations, maintaining functional integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a strong, long-term connection of soft tissue to orthopedic assemblies by allowing tissue ingrowth, reducing the risk of connection failure and enhancing the stability of soft tissue attachment to prosthetic components.
Implementation Method 1
a filamentary receiving component configured to receive the stem and the keel wherein the filamentary attachment structure allows soft tissue to be connected thereto and facilitates tissue ingrowth therein
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic assembly includes a tibial prosthesis that includes a body that defines an anterior side and a posterior side. The body further incudes a recess in the anterior side of the joint prosthesis and a plurality of openings that extend through the body from the anterior side to the posterior side thereof. At least a first and second opening of the openings are positioned at respective lateral and medial sides of a longitudinal axis of the tibial prosthesis. A modular insert is positioned within the recess of the body such that at least a portion of the modular insert is positioned between the openings of the body. The modular insert is formed separately from the tibial prosthesis and has a porous outer surface to promote tissue ingrowth.