Enhanced Off-Center Liner for Acetabular Cup with Mechanical Alignment System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved liner for an acetabular cup with a mechanical alignment system to ensure proper alignment and stability in hip joint replacement surgeries.
Background and Problem Solved
The original off-center liner for acetabular cups had limitations in ensuring proper alignment and stability during hip joint replacement surgeries. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by incorporating a mechanical alignment system to facilitate proper alignment of the liner within the acetabular cup, enhancing the overall stability and efficiency of the hip joint replacement procedure.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced off-center liner features a proximal surface, an outer convex surface, and a concave bearing surface recessed relative to the proximal surface. The liner is designed to be offset from the center of the acetabular cup and includes a mechanical alignment system to ensure proper alignment within the acetabular cup. This system may include markings, virtual indicators, or other visual cues to facilitate accurate alignment. The inventive concept also encompasses a system for hip joint replacement, a method for implanting an acetabular cup, a kit for hip joint replacement, and a method for manufacturing an acetabular cup.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept's mechanical alignment system, which facilitates proper alignment of the liner within the acetabular cup, is a novel and non-obvious improvement over the original off-center liner design. The incorporation of this system addresses the limitations of the original design and provides a more efficient and stable solution for hip joint replacement surgeries.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include different types of mechanical alignment systems, such as optical or tactile indicators, or different materials and designs for the acetabular cup and liner. Variations may also include different methods for implanting the acetabular cup or manufacturing the acetabular cup and liner.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced off-center liner with a mechanical alignment system has significant commercial potential in the orthopedic industry, particularly in hip joint replacement surgeries. The target market includes hospitals, orthopedic clinics, and medical device manufacturers.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/34 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/4609 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30617 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/3453 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/4681 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Orthopedic surgical implant design, specifically hip joint replacement technologies involving acetabular cup and liner systems, requiring advanced knowledge of biomechanical engineering, materials science, and surgical prosthetic design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or orthopedic implant designer with advanced degree, 5-10 years experience in medical device development, familiar with surgical implant geometries, manufacturing techniques, and biomechanical alignment principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's mechanical alignment system represents an incremental and predictable improvement to the existing off-center liner design disclosed in US 11857423. The proposed variations leverage known techniques for enhancing surgical implant precision and stability through additional visual and mechanical registration features. These modifications represent standard design optimization strategies within orthopedic implant engineering that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to improve surgical outcomes.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,423 |
|---|---|
| Title | Off-center liner for acetabular cup |
| Assignee(s) | Arthrology Consulting, LLC |