Trapezoid Osteochondral Plug Graft for Articular Cartilage Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osteochondral grafts, typically in cylindrical shape, face challenges with surface mismatch, poor integration with host tissue, and post-implantation motion due to their geometry, which affects the durability and effectiveness of articular cartilage repair.
Innovation Solution
A trapezoid-shaped osteochondral plug graft is developed, which can be tailored to match the contour of the recipient socket, featuring a quadrilateral shape with two parallel sides and non-parallel sides that taper, allowing for better packing and reducing micromotion, along with a kit including variously configured grafts and tools for precise implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical plug grafts are used, then the graft can be easily harvested and implanted, but the graft does not pack well into irregularly shaped defects and rotates after implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the graft geometry from a symmetric cylindrical shape to an asymmetric shape with non-parallel sides. This asymmetric configuration prevents rotation within the defect site and enables better packing into irregularly shaped osteochondral defects, while still maintaining ease of harvesting through standardized drilling and shaping protocols
2Ease of operation
If cylindrical plug grafts are used, then the implantation procedure is simple, but the graft surface does not match the contour of the excised osteochondral tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the graft surface characteristics location-specific. The non-parallel sides and contoured surface are designed to match the specific geometry of the excised defect site, ensuring that each portion of the graft surface corresponds to the local contour requirements of the host tissue, thereby achieving precise surface matching while maintaining surgical simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical plug grafts are used, then the graft can be standardized for implantation, but the graft has a propensity to rotate and move after implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing asymmetric features to the standardized graft design. The non-parallel sides create a geometric key-lock mechanism within the defect site, preventing rotation and displacement. This allows the graft to maintain standardization for ease of implantation while simultaneously achieving enhanced stability through its asymmetric configuration that adapts to the specific defect geometry
Data Source
AI summary
Each of an osteochondral plug graft and a kit comprises a trapezoid shaped construct configured for osteochondral implanting. An osteochondral regeneration method comprises forming a recipient socket in a chondral area of an articular joint in need of repair; harvesting a trapezoid shaped graft from another chondral area; and implanting the trapezoid shaped graft into the recipient socket.