Femoral Trochlea Prostheses with Distal Tails and Porous Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current femoral trochlea prostheses lack design improvements to better fit varying patient anatomies and provide adequate fixation and support, leading to potential complications such as patella catching and reduced longevity.
Innovation Solution
The development of femoral trochlea prostheses with a distal tail for additional fixation support, varying thickness options, and a porous medium for osseointegration, along with design features like wings for accommodating dysplastic conditions, which allow for secure implantation without significant bone resection and minimize micromotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional femoral trochlea prosthesis designs are used, then the prosthesis can be implanted, but the fit is inadequate for varying patient anatomies and fixation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple functional segments: an articulating surface for joint movement, a nonarticulating surface for bone contact, and one or more fixation supports (distal tails) extending from the nonarticulating surface. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the articulating surface provides smooth patellar tracking, while the fixation supports provide independent anchorage in the distal femur, resolving the contradiction between anatomical adaptability and fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation supports extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the articulating surface, adding a vertical dimension to the fixation mechanism. This dimensional extension allows the prosthesis to anchor into the distal femur without compromising the horizontal articulating surface geometry, thereby achieving both anatomical fit and secure fixation simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If significant bone resection is performed to accommodate traditional prosthesis designs, then the prosthesis can be implanted, but bone loss occurs and longevity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis design changes the implantation parameters by requiring minimal bone resection compared to traditional designs. The fixation supports are configured to engage with the distal femur after minimal resection, and the articulating surface geometry is optimized to match natural femoral anatomy, allowing implantation while preserving bone stock and enhancing long-term durability.
3Reliability
If fixation supports are added to the prosthesis, then fixation support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation supports serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical anchorage in the distal femur, distribute implantation forces across a larger bone surface area, and maintain the structural integrity of the prosthesis during articulation. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to address multiple requirements, improving fixation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These designs enhance the longevity and stability of the prostheses by preventing patella catching, facilitating smooth articulation, and promoting osseointegration, thus improving the fit and durability of the prostheses across different anatomies.
Implementation Method 1
a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a distal tail. In another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a wing or extension portion. In yet another embodiment, a set of femoral trochlea prostheses includes a plurality of prostheses having differing thicknesses. In still another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis.