Triangular SI Joint Implants for Rotationally Stable Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sacroiliac joint implants face issues with loosening, leading to high revision rates due to inadequate fixation and rotational motion, necessitating improved fusion and insertion methods.
Innovation Solution
Non-threaded implants with triangular bodies and lattice structures, optimized through finite element analysis, are designed to provide structural integrity and promote bone fusion, featuring amorphous geometries and lattice portions for enhanced fixation and bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sacroiliac joint implants are used, then fixation is provided, but rotational motion occurs leading to loosening and high revision rates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant employs a triangular cross-section geometry with three vertices and three faces, creating an asymmetric shape that prevents rotational motion within the sacroiliac joint. This asymmetric design ensures the implant maintains a fixed orientation once inserted, eliminating the rotational instability that causes loosening in traditional cylindrical implants.
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-threaded implants are used, then rotational motion is limited, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The implant combines a solid portion made of high-strength material with a lattice portion made of porous material. This composite structure provides both the structural integrity needed to maintain fixation and the bone ingrowth capability to enhance long-term stability, without relying on threading mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into distinct functional regions: a solid portion for structural support and load-bearing, and a lattice portion for bone ingrowth and biological fixation. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while working together to provide overall structural integrity.
3Reliability
If lattice structures are added, then bone growth is promoted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure is applied locally to specific portions of the implant where bone ingrowth is most beneficial, rather than throughout the entire device. This localized application promotes bone fusion at critical interfaces while maintaining simpler solid structures in load-bearing regions, balancing biological integration with structural efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Bone implants, assemblies, and methods thereof. The implants may include non-threaded triangular implants configured to promote fixation and fusion of the sacroiliac joint. The implants may have a triangular body configured to prevent or minimize rotational motion of the implant. The implants may include an inner core or an outer shell, which provides structural support for a lattice structure. The structural geometry may be generated through topology optimization software, such as finite element analysis, based on anatomical loading conditions for the implant.