Trochlear Ridge Prosthesis for Canine Patellar Luxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for patellar luxation in animals, such as sulcoplasty, are traumatic, provide inconsistent results, involve significant surgical risks, and are not suitable for young animals due to the risk of disrupting growth plates, leading to potential deformities and osteoarthritis.
Innovation Solution
A trochlear ridge prosthesis with a curved section and a tail, designed to fit the geometry of canines and felines, featuring a specific height-to-span ratio and a sliding fixation mechanism to accommodate growth, allowing for secure attachment without hindering bone development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sulcoplasty is performed to deepen the trochlear groove, then patellar alignment is improved, but surgical trauma and risk are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
A trochlear ridge prosthesis is introduced as an intermediary component between the trochlear ridge and the patella. The prosthesis includes a curved section that contacts the patella and a tail section that is fixed to the trochlear ridge, serving as a mediator to guide patellar tracking without requiring traumatic bone cutting procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis replicates the natural trochlear groove geometry by providing a curved section with specific dimensional ratios (height-to-span ratio of 0.15-0.35) that mimics the ideal trochlear contour, allowing the patella to track properly without altering the original bone structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fixation methods are used to secure the implant, then stability is improved, but growth plate disruption occurs in young animals
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into functionally distinct segments: a curved section that interfaces with the patella and provides stability, and a tail section that attaches to the trochlear ridge. This segmentation allows the fixation method to be optimized independently from the patellar interface
Solution Approach 2:
The tail section acts as an intermediary element between the prosthesis body and the bone. It can be fixed to the trochlear ridge using various methods (screws, pins, or interference fit) that avoid penetrating the growth plate, while still providing sufficient stabilization of the implant
3Reliability
If the trochlear groove is not sufficiently deep, then patellar tracking is poor, but deepening the groove through surgery increases complexity and risk
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis provides a pre-formed curved section with optimized dimensions (height-to-span ratio of 0.15-0.35) that replicates the ideal trochlear groove geometry. This copying approach creates the necessary depth and contour for proper patellar tracking without requiring complex surgical procedures to reshape the bone
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the bone geometry through surgical cutting, the solution changes the parameters of the interface by introducing a prosthesis with specific dimensional ratios. The curved section's height-to-span ratio is optimized to provide adequate groove depth and lateral walls for patellar containment
Data Source
AI summary
A trochlear ridge prosthesis includes a curved section, the curved section having a span (RS) and a height (RH) above the span, the ratio of the height to the span being in the range 0.15 to 0.35, and a tail extending from a proximal end of the curved section.