Trial Implant with Nested Metal Tab for Orthopedic Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trial implants for orthopedic procedures are prone to damage during use, leading to material being inadvertently introduced into the body and are costly due to the need for dedicated instruments and frequent replacement, with existing materials being insufficiently durable and causing unintended contact with anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
A trial implant design featuring a polymeric body with a durable metal tab enclosed within, allowing for secure attachment with standard surgical tools without extending beyond the implant's surfaces, reducing damage risk and eliminating unnecessary contact with anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If trial implants are made entirely of polymeric material to save manufacturing costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but durability and resistance to damage during surgical manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trial implant combines polymeric material for the main body with a metallic tab component, creating a composite structure that leverages the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of polymers while incorporating the strength and durability of metal where needed for attachment and manipulation during surgery
2Ease of operation
If surgical tools attach to the exterior surfaces of trial implants for manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended contact with surrounding anatomy increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic tab is nested within a recess in the implant body, with only a small portion extending beyond the surface. This nesting approach allows surgical tools to attach to the tab for manipulation while minimizing the exposed attachment interface and reducing unintended contact with surrounding anatomical structures
3Productivity
If trial implants are designed for repeated use, then productivity is improved, but individual inserts become damaged requiring replacement and dedicated instruments increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The trial implant is segmented into a reusable polymeric body and a replaceable metallic tab. The durable metal tab can withstand repeated surgical manipulation and attachment cycles, while the main body remains intact for continued use, separating the wear-prone attachment interface from the structural component
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a trial implant having a body and a tab. The body may include a recess and may be sized to closely approximate a permanent implant. The tab may be more durable than the body, and may be disposed within the body and wholly contained within the recess. Also disclosed is a method of performing a trialing procedure including providing a trial implant as described, providing a tool to attach to the tab, inserting the implant onto a resected joint, evaluating and extracting the implant. The same procedure may then be performed with a second implant. The method may further include a tool having an attachment portion that is substantially or wholly contained within the recess. A kit is disclosed including a plurality of trial implants of incrementally different shapes and sizes. The kit may further include a tool. Also disclosed is a method of making the described implant.