Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Modular Humeral Prosthesis for Enhanced Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention

Publication ID: 24-11857428_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Modular Humeral Prosthesis for Enhanced Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857428_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857428_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,428.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A wearable system utilizing a modular humeral prosthesis sensor to monitor athletic performance, predict injury risk, and provide personalized feedback for improvement, revolutionizing the sports and fitness industry.

Background and Problem Solved

The original modular humeral prosthesis patent primarily focused on anatomical shoulder prostheses. However, its core technology can be repurposed to address the pressing issue of athletic injuries and performance optimization. The new inventive concept leverages the modular humeral prosthesis to create a wearable system that tackles this problem.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The wearable system consists of a modular humeral prosthesis sensor integrated into a wearable device. This sensor measures athletic movements, providing real-time feedback to improve performance. The system can also analyze data to predict injury risk, generating personalized assessments. Furthermore, the modular humeral prosthesis can be used as part of an exoskeleton, providing real-time support and feedback to enhance athletic movements. Additionally, the system can track athletic rehabilitation, offering personalized plans. Finally, a virtual reality training system can be developed, simulating athletic movements and providing real-time feedback.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the modular humeral prosthesis technology, expanding its scope beyond anatomical shoulder prostheses. The inventive step lies in the integration of the sensor and wearable device, enabling real-time feedback and injury risk prediction, which is not obvious from the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments could include using the modular humeral prosthesis sensor in a smart clothing or implantable device. Variations could involve adapting the system for different sports or fitness activities, or integrating with existing athletic equipment.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has vast commercial potential in the sports and fitness industry, targeting professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and sports teams. The system can be marketed as a premium wearable device or integrated into existing athletic equipment, offering a unique value proposition for improved performance and injury prevention.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61F2/4014
A A61 A61F2/30767
A A61 A61F2/4059
A A61 A61F2/40
A A61 A61F2002/3054
A A61 A61F2002/3071
A A61 A61F2002/30355
A A61 A61F2002/30428
A A61 A61F2002/30433
A A61 A61F2002/30604
A A61 A61F2002/30617
A A61 A61F2002/30774
A A61 A61F2002/30828
A A61 A61F2002/30879
A A61 A61F2002/4022
A A61 A61F2002/4051
A A61 A61F2002/4074
A A61 A61F2250/0089
A A61 A61F2250/0097

Field of Art

Orthopedic medical devices, biomechanical sensor systems, and athletic performance monitoring technologies, with expertise in prosthetic design, sensor integration, and human movement analysis

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degrees in biomechanical engineering, experience in prosthetic design, sensor integration, and understanding of human movement biomechanics

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the natural extension of the modular humeral prosthesis design into performance monitoring and athletic applications by leveraging existing sensor and biomechanical tracking technologies. The fundamental structural elements of the original prosthesis provide a readily adaptable platform for integrating sensing and feedback mechanisms. The technical challenges of sensor integration would be considered routine engineering problem-solving within the field of medical device design.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Modular humeral prosthesis with anatomical stem and epiphyseal head
PTD Variation
Integration of sensor technology to monitor movement and athletic performance
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding sensors to medical devices is a known technique for expanding diagnostic and monitoring capabilities, representing a predictable application of existing technological approaches
Source Patent Element
Measurement of shoulder retroversion angle
PTD Variation
Real-time athletic movement tracking and injury risk prediction
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending angular measurement techniques to performance analysis represents a logical progression of biomechanical measurement technologies
Source Patent Element
Modular prosthesis with multiple configuration options
PTD Variation
Adaptable sensor system for different sports and fitness activities
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design principles naturally suggest adaptability across multiple use cases, representing a standard design approach in medical and athletic technologies
Source Patent Element
Anatomical stem with flared metaphyseal portion
PTD Variation
Exoskeleton integration with real-time movement support
Obviousness Reasoning
The structural design of the original prosthesis provides a natural foundation for developing supportive exoskeleton technologies
Source Patent Element
Prosthesis designed for precise anatomical positioning
PTD Variation
Virtual reality movement simulation and feedback system
Obviousness Reasoning
Translating precise movement tracking into virtual simulation represents a predictable technological extension using known motion capture and rendering techniques
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857428's disclosure of a modular humeral prosthesis, the present publication demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed athletic performance monitoring and sensor integration variations obvious and predictable extensions of existing medical device and biomechanical tracking technologies. The technical variations represent routine engineering adaptations that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight beyond the existing state of the art.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,428
TitleModular humeral prosthesis for an inverted shoulder prosthesis
Assignee(s)DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY