Trochlear Groove Prosthesis with Segmented Base Plate and Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic solutions for the knee joint, particularly the trochlear groove, require extensive surgery and replacement of healthy femur portions, failing to replicate the unique shapes of the joint, leading to unnatural movement and prolonged recovery times.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive trochlear groove prosthesis comprising a base plate and cap, shaped to match the trochlear groove, with pegs and holes for secure attachment, promoting bone ingrowth and coated with low friction material for smooth patella movement, allowing for simple replacement of the damaged groove without disturbing the entire knee joint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive surgery is performed to replace the trochlear groove with traditional prosthetic solutions, then the damaged joint surface can be replaced, but healthy femur portions are removed and recovery time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint functionVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into two separate components: a base plate that attaches to the femur and a cap that forms the trochlear groove surface. This segmentation allows the cap to be a small, focused replacement of only the damaged groove portion rather than requiring extensive femoral replacement, thereby reducing surgical invasion and preserving healthy bone while maintaining joint function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and replaces only the specific damaged trochlear groove portion rather than replacing entire joint surfaces. The cap is designed to fit precisely into the prepared groove defect, removing only the necessary damaged tissue and preserving surrounding healthy femur and patella, which reduces surgical trauma and accelerates recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional prosthetic solutions are used, then the trochlear groove can be replaced, but the unique shapes of the joint are not replicated, leading to unnatural movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint functionVSAvoidjoint movement naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is designed with the specific local geometry of a natural trochlear groove, including the precise curvature and depth required for proper patellar tracking. This local quality matching ensures that the replacement surface replicates the unique shapes of the original joint, enabling natural patella movement and joint function while maintaining biomechanical fidelity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthesis cap is designed as a precise copy of the natural trochlear groove geometry. By replicating the unique shapes and contours of the original joint surface, the prosthesis restores natural joint kinematics and patellar tracking, ensuring that movement patterns closely resemble those of a healthy joint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional prosthetic solutions are used, then the joint can be stabilized, but extensive surgery is required and healthy joint components are disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stabilityVSAvoidsurgical invasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is segmented into a base plate and cap configuration that can be implanted through minimally invasive surgery. The base plate provides stable attachment to the femur while the cap restores the groove surface, achieving joint stability without requiring extensive surgical exposure or disturbance of surrounding healthy joint components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surgery extracts and removes only the damaged trochlear groove portion rather than requiring extensive removal of healthy bone or disturbance of other joint components. This focused approach achieves stable prosthesis fixation while minimizing surgical trauma and preserving the integrity of surrounding healthy joint structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables effective replacement of the trochlear groove with reduced surgical invasion, preserving healthy joint components and facilitating natural movement, thereby reducing recovery time and minimizing additional joint stress.

Implementation Method 1

coated with low friction material for smooth patella movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The cap includes a plurality of pegs extending from the bottom thereof. The base plate includes a plurality of holes which mate with the pegs on the cap.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS10159576B2Trochlear groove prosthesis

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 KYON

AI summary

A trochlear groove prosthesis includes a base plate and cap. The base plate and cap are shaped to correspond to the shape of the trochlear groove. A cut is made in the femur to remove the worn or damaged trochlear groove. The base plate is attached to the cut portion of the femur. The cap is mated with the base plate. The prosthesis and procedure provide a properly shaped prosthesis with a single planar cut of the femur.