Trochlear Implant Oval Stem Design for Cartilage Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing articular cartilage defects, such as autologous chondrocyte transplantation and total joint replacement, are complex, costly, and involve significant recovery time, while alternative techniques like debridement and microfracturing have limited effectiveness in promoting sufficient repair.
Innovation Solution
A method using an implant device with a specifically designed articular end and stem, compatible with the lesion dimensions, is inserted through a hole formed in the cartilage and subchondral bone into the cancellous bone, allowing the implant's surfaces to abut the prepared bone surfaces, facilitating integration and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autologous chondrocyte transplantation is used to regenerate cartilage, then cartilage repair is achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and costly with extended recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the damaged cartilage lesion completely, then replaces it with a simple implant device that does not require complex regeneration procedures. This extraction approach eliminates the need for complex autologous chondrocyte transplantation while achieving reliable cartilage replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive implant device that can be easily inserted and removed, replacing the need for complex, expensive regeneration procedures. The implant serves its purpose directly without requiring complex biological regeneration processes, reducing both procedure complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If total joint replacement is performed, then cartilage defects are corrected, but the procedure becomes costly and high risk with long recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing the entire joint, the patent extracts only the damaged cartilage lesion and replaces it with a simple implant. This localized extraction approach avoids the complexity and high risk of total joint replacement while achieving effective defect correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by replacing only the damaged portion of the cartilage with a targeted implant device, rather than replacing the entire joint. This localized approach reduces procedure complexity, cost, and recovery time while maintaining effective defect correction.
3Device complexity
If debridement and microfracturing are used to repair cartilage, then the procedure is simpler, but the effectiveness in promoting sufficient repair is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an implant device as an intermediary that directly replaces the damaged cartilage. This intermediary approach provides more reliable repair effectiveness compared to debridement and microfracturing, while maintaining procedural simplicity. The implant serves as a direct mediator between the damaged area and healthy tissue.
4Reliability
If traditional cartilage repair methods are used, then treatment is available, but significant pain and disability occur acutely or over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of pain and disability by extracting and replacing the damaged cartilage lesion with a functional implant. This extraction approach eliminates the harmful effects of chronic pain and disability associated with inadequate repair, while maintaining reliable cartilage replacement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of using implant devices are provided herein. The implant devices of the methods herein have an articular end and a stem, the stem having an oval-shaped cross-section. The articular end has an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface. The upper surface and lower surface each intersect the side surface. The upper surface has a first surface curvature, a central surface curvature, and a second surface curvature. The stem extends from the lower surface in a direction away from the upper surface of the articular end.