Transitionable Glenoid Augment for Adjustable Bone Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glenoid implants for shoulder arthroplasty with eccentric glenoid erosion require significant bone removal and lack intraoperative adjustability, leading to poor fit and stress distribution, especially in cases with varying degrees of erosion.
Innovation Solution
A glenoid implant with a transitionable augment portion that changes convexity, coupled to a bone-facing surface with a set screw mechanism, allowing for adjustable fit to both the neoglenoid and paleoglenoid surfaces, minimizing bone stock removal and accommodating different anatomical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size glenoid implant is used, then the implant structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different anatomical variations and erosion progressions
Solution Approach 1:
The augment portion is designed with a transitionable geometry that allows it to change convexity between a first configuration (higher convexity) and a second configuration (lower convexity). This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same implant to adapt to different degrees of glenoid erosion without requiring multiple fixed-size implants, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes a set screw mechanism that, when advanced, changes the geometric parameters of the augment portion by forcing it into different configurations. This parameter change allows the augment to match varying neoglenoid surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall implant structure, addressing both adaptability and complexity concerns.
2Ease of operation
If a single glenoid implant size is used, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but intraoperative adjustment is not possible resulting in poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The augment portion transitions from a fixed state to an adjustable state through the set screw mechanism. During surgery, the set screw can be advanced to force the augment into the desired configuration, providing intraoperative adjustability. This dynamic feature enables poor fit correction without significantly complicating the implant design.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw mechanism allows the surgeon to self-adjust the implant fit during surgery by simply advancing the screw to force the augment into the appropriate configuration. This self-adjusting capability provides ease of operation without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple implant sizes.
3Loss of substance
If bone-contacting surface does not match neoglenoid geometry, then implant design is simpler, but significant bone stock must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The augment portion is designed with specific convexity characteristics that locally match the neoglenoid surface geometry. By concentrating the geometric complexity in the augment portion rather than the entire implant, the design preserves bone stock while maintaining overall implant simplicity. The local quality of the augment surface is optimized for bone contact without requiring complex overall implant geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a glenoid implant for replacing a native glenoid includes an articulating surface configured to articulate with respect to a humeral head. A bone-facing surface may be opposite the articulating surface, the bone-facing surface having a first area configured to contact a paleoglenoid of the native glenoid. An augment portion may be coupled to the bone-facing surface, the augment portion being configured to contact a neoglenoid of the native glenoid. The augment portion may be transitionable between a first configuration in which the augment portion has a first convexity and a second configuration in which the augment portion has a second convexity different than the first convexity.