While enabling technologies in joint replacement continue to be in the spotlight, clues revealed in the shadows of data point to niche focus areas for hip implant advancements. After examining the evidence in US patent applications filed since the beginning of the year, SmartTRAK identified a trend towards acetabular implant solutions. These solutions include implant designs that can address or potentially reduce the risk of acetabular bone loss or instability, often encountered in revision hip arthroplasty.
SmartTRAK’s US Hip Replacement Market Overview points out that revision hip procedure growth remains lower than that for primary hips due to the extended implant survivorship of next-generation implants and materials. However, revision hip procedures are expected to grow with a 5-year CAGR of +3.5% to nearly 110K procedures by the end of 2028. And, according to a paper by Sahil A. Sanghavi, MS, DNB, et al., acetabular bone loss continues to be one of the most challenging issues faced by orthopedic surgeons. (J Am Acad Orthop Surg, May 2024).
At least 15 patent applications published since January 1 are related to acetabular implant solutions. The line-up of patent subjects ranges from trial implants for more accurate cup placement during surgery to custom 3D printed augments with filings from large market players to designing surgeons. In Figure 1 below, SmartTRAK outlines the most recent acetabular implant-related patent applications.
Figure 1. Selected Patent Applications for Acetabular Reconstruction Solutions
| Company | IP Focus Area | Patent Application |
|---|---|---|
| Adler Ortho* | Cup Design | ADLER ORTHO's US Patent Application "Acetabular Cup With Regions Of Differing Flexibility" was published describing an acetabular cup with a cotyle body with holes for the passage of fixing screws. 20240197482 |
| Arthrology Consulting/ Derek F. Amanatullah, MD, PhD of Stanford Medicine |
Acetabular Augment | Arthrology Consulting's US Patent Application "Expandable Augment System For Acetabular Cup" was published describing an expandable augment system that can be adjusted incrementally between a fully collapsed state and an expanded state. 20240197480 |
| Arthrology Consulting/ Derek F. Amanatullah, MD, PhD of Stanford Medicine |
Cup Design | Arthrology Consulting's US Patent Application "Off-center Liner For Acetabular Cup" was published describing off-center liners (metal or UHMWPE) that can be laterally spaced from the acetabular cup and angled relative to the cup. 20240082008 |
| Corentec* | Acetabular Augments | Corentec’s US Patent Application “Augment Implant To Which Different Types Of Porous Structures Are Applied” was published describing 3D printed augments to address bone loss during hip replacement surgery. 20240024112 |
| Enovis* | Cup Design | Encore Medical's US Patent Application "Acetabular Cup System" was published describing an acetabular cup assembly designed to reduce micromotion between the liner and the cup. 20240138993 |
| JNJ/DePuy Synthes* | Acetabular Augments | DePuy Synthes Products' US Patent Application "3D Printed Monoblock Orthopaedic Surgical Implant With Customized Patient-Specific Augment" was published describing an acetabular shell with a solid substrate, porous outer layer and inner layers with an inner bearing. 20240245517 |
| JNJ/DePuy Synthes | Acetabular Augments | DePuy Synthes Products' US Patent Application "Customized Patient-specific 3D Printed Positioning Augment For Orthopaedic Surgical Implant" was published describing an acetabular shell with an additively manufactured augment coupled to the outer wall. 20240041606 |
| JNJ/DePuy Synthes | Cup Design | DePuy Synthes Products' US Patent Application "Modular Acetabular Surgical Implant Assembly" was published describing an acetabular implant with a plate having one or more flanges and an acetabular shell component. 20240197484 |
| JNJ/DePuy Synthes | Instrumentation | DePuy Ireland's US Patent Application "Femoral Trialling Kit And Assembly," was published describing a femoral trialing kit and method for assessing acetabular cup orientation during a left or right hip joint replacement to increase accuracy of cup placement potentially reducing wear, which can lead to osteolysis. 20240091030 |
| LINK* | Cup Design | Waldemar Link's US Patent Application "Implant Device" was published describing a pelvic implantation device that includes at least two outwardly directed, flat, fastening brackets arranged at the edge of a fastening ring for acetabular reconstruction. 20240138992 |
| Revision Technologies | Implant Surface Treatment | Revision Technologies' US Patent Application "Medical Implant Surface Treatment And Method" was published describing a surface treatment configured to interlock with adjoining bone or an uneven texture on another implant, such as an acetabular cup for revision hip surgery. 20240099851 |
| Smith+Nephew* | Cup Design | Smith+Nephew’s US Patent Application “ACETABULAR APPARATUSES FOR HIP REVISION SURGERY” was published describing an acetabular cup and an acetabular cage. 20240024115 |
| Smith+Nephew | Dual Mobility Cup | Smith+Nephew’s US Patent Application "Lateralized Dual-mobility Assembly" was published describing acetabular cup liners having lateralized pivot points and, more particularly but not exclusively, dual-mobility assemblies including such acetabular cup liners. 20240173136 |
| Smith+Nephew | Dual Mobility Cup | Smith+Nephew's US Patent Application "Dual Mobility Acetabular Implant For Hip Revision Surgery" was published describing an acetabular insert configured to accommodate various femoral component configurations and impingement conditions. 20240074864 |
| Stryker* | Dual Mobility Cup | Howmedica Osteonics' US Patent Application "Dual Mobility Hip Resurfacing" was published describing a system for bone resurfacing or total hip replacement, including an acetabular component, a dual mobility liner and a femoral component. 20240033098 |
Sources: Sources: SmartTRAK Market Updates; USPTO
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