Tibial Tray Aperture and Clip Layout for ACL-Preserving Knee Implants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tibial prosthesis systems in knee arthroplasty lack features that facilitate the preservation or augmentation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), leading to potential complications and suboptimal post-operative stability.
Innovation Solution
A tibial prosthesis system with a central aperture and a clip configuration that allows for the reception of natural ligaments or ligament grafts, along with embedded stems to stabilize the prosthesis, minimizing interference with ACL repair or reconstruction procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional tibial prosthesis design is used, then the structural integrity and stability of the knee implant is maintained, but the ability to preserve or repair the ACL is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tibial tray is segmented with a central aperture that divides the structure into functional zones: a ligament reception zone and a polyethylene insert zone. This segmentation allows the prosthesis to simultaneously maintain structural integrity while providing a dedicated pathway for ACL preservation or repair, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tibial prosthesis is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating features that serve both traditional load-bearing functions and ACL preservation functions. The central aperture with clip mechanism enables the same prosthesis to accommodate either ACL preservation or reconstruction scenarios, making the device universally applicable to different surgical approaches while maintaining structural reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tibial tray is designed with a central aperture for ligament reception, then ACL preservation becomes possible, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The central aperture is strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide adequate space for ligament reception while minimizing impact on the overall structural strength of the tibial tray. The aperture dimensions and positioning are optimized to maintain local structural quality in critical load-bearing areas while enabling the specialized function of ACL preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tibial tray incorporates a clip mechanism made of biocompatible material that works in conjunction with the central aperture. This composite approach, combining the tray structure with the clip ligament retention system, allows the aperture to serve its ligament reception function without compromising the structural strength of the overall assembly.
3Reliability
If a clip mechanism is added to secure the ligament, then ACL repair stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clip mechanism is merged with the central aperture structure, where the clip is integrated into the aperture walls rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts, simplifies the overall device complexity, and maintains the stability function for ACL repair by securing the ligament graft within the aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip mechanism is designed to be self-retaining within the central aperture, utilizing the aperture's geometry to hold and position the clip without requiring additional fastening elements or complex assembly steps. This self-service design maintains ACL repair stability while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tibial prosthesis system for knee arthroscopy may include a tibial tray having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a bone facing surface, a joint facing surface, and a central aperture. The tibial prosthesis system may also include a clip configured to be slidably received in the central aperture. The posterior portion may include a posterior notch. The central aperture may extend posteriorly from the anterior portion, and from the bone facing surface to the joint facing surface. At least a portion of the joint facing surface may extend between the central aperture and the posterior notch.