A knee joint stress sensor

Abstract

The present invention proposes a knee joint stress sensor, comprising a sensor upper end cover, a sensor lower end cover, a control circuit, a power supply component and a sensor module; wherein the sensor upper end cover and the sensor lower end cover are coupled to each other to form a sensor housing, and the sensor module, the power supply component and the control circuit are all arranged in the sensor housing; the sensor module and the power supply component are both connected to the control circuit signal through a signal path, so as to propose a knee joint stress sensor that can monitor the patient's joint force, thereby determining the medial-lateral balance of the joint, and can act as a knee prosthesis in the patient's joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a knee joint stress sensor. Background Art

[0002] Plastic surgeons implant plastic prostheses into patients to, for example, correct or alleviate bone and / or soft tissue loss, trauma and / or bone deformation of the patient. Plastic prostheses can replace a portion or the entire joint of a patient's joint, and in the present invention, plastic prostheses can replace the patient's knee joint. In the case of knee replacement, the plastic knee prosthesis can include a tibial tray, a femoral component, and a polymer insert or bearing positioned between the tibial tray and the femoral component.

[0003] In orthopedic surgery, the surgeon first prepares the patient's bones to accommodate an orthopedic prosthesis. For example, in the case of a knee replacement orthopedic surgery, the surgeon can remove a portion of the patient's proximal tibia to which the tibial tray will be attached, a portion of the patient's distal femur to which the tibial component will be attached, and / or a portion of the patient's patella to which the patellar component will be attached. In such surgery, the surgeon can try to balance or distribute the joint forces of the patient's joint to produce a joint movement similar to the movement of a natural joint. To this end, the surgeon can use surgical experience and "feel" the appropriate joint force balance with his hands. In addition or as an alternative, the orthopedic surgeon can use surgical instruments (e.g., using a ligament balancer in knee replacement surgery) to assist in balancing or distributing the joint forces. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a knee joint stress sensor which can monitor the joint force of a patient, thereby determining the medial-lateral balance of the joint, and can act as a knee prosthesis in the patient's joint.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a knee joint stress sensor, comprising a sensor upper end cover, a sensor lower end cover, a control circuit, a power supply component and a sensor module;

[0006] The upper end cover of the sensor and the lower end cover of the sensor are coupled to each other to form a sensor housing, and the sensor module, the power supply component and the control circuit are all arranged in the sensor housing; the sensor module and the power supply component are both connected to the control circuit signal through a signal path.

[0007] Preferably, the sensor housing is a tibial plate placed between the proximal end of the tibia and the distal end of the femur; the shape of the tibial plate is similar to that of the meniscus;

[0008] A protrusion is provided in the middle of the upper end cover of the sensor; the upper surface of the upper end cover of the sensor is divided by the protrusion, and both left and right sides are flat;

[0009] The shape of the lower end cover of the sensor matches the shape of the upper end cover of the sensor, thereby achieving coupling with the upper end cover of the sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the side of the sensor lower end cover facing the sensor upper end cover is the upper surface; the planes on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the sensor lower end cover are provided with first grooves; and the middle position of the sensor lower end cover is provided with a second groove.

[0011] Preferably, the sensor module is disposed in the first groove; the control circuit is disposed in the second groove; and the sensor module is signal-connected to the control circuit via the signal path.

[0012] Preferably, the sensor module includes a plurality of membrane button sensors and a sensor circuit board; the sensor circuit board is triangular in shape; the membrane button sensors are arranged at the three corners and the center position of the triangular sensor circuit board; and a convex key corresponding to the position of the membrane button sensor is arranged on the lower surface of the upper end cover of the sensor.

[0013] Preferably, the power supply component includes a power supply and a switch component; the power supply is a button battery, and the button battery is connected with the control circuit to supply power to the control circuit;

[0014] The switch assembly includes a reed switch and a magnet, wherein the reed switch is placed on the signal path of the control circuit; a magnet seat recessed inwardly is provided on the lower surface of the upper end cover of the sensor; and the circuit in the reed switch is connected by inserting the magnet into the magnet seat.

[0015] Preferably, the control circuit includes a processor and a Bluetooth communication device; the processor is communicatively coupled to the Bluetooth communication device via a serial port signal path.

[0016] Preferably, the signal path is a wire, a printed circuit board wiring or a signal coupler.

[0017] Preferably, the processor realizes signal communication with an external APP via the Bluetooth communication device.

[0018] Preferably, the knee joint stress sensor further comprises two displays; the two displays are arranged on the surface of the knee joint stress sensor, and the displays are electrically connected and signal-connected to the control circuit via wires.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the knee joint stress sensor of the present invention is placed between the proximal end of the tibia and the distal end of the femur in the human body, and acts as a prosthetic knee for the human body; at the same time, the knee joint stress sensor of the present invention can realize signal connection with an external mobile phone APP through a Bluetooth device, and the patient's joint force can be monitored in real time through the sensor module. The membrane button sensors on the sensor module can be arranged according to the situations of the medial joint stress points and the lateral joint stress points, so as to monitor the real-time stress conditions of each stress point of the patient's joint, and judge the patient's joint balance through the stress conditions, so as to carry out timely treatment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the upper surface structure of an upper end cover of a sensor in a knee joint stress sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the lower surface structure of the upper end surface of a sensor in a knee joint stress sensor in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the upper surface structure of the lower end surface of a sensor in a knee joint stress sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic diagram of the lower surface structure of the lower end surface of a sensor in a knee joint stress sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be further described below.

[0025] The present invention provides a knee joint stress sensor, comprising a sensor upper end cover 1, a sensor lower end cover 2, a control circuit 3, a power supply component and a sensor module 5;

[0026] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the sensor upper end cover 1 and the sensor lower end cover 2 are coupled to each other to form a sensor housing, the size of the housing is determined according to the patient's body shape, and the overall shape and size of the plate are designed and selected so that the plate or housing does not overhang significantly relative to the patient's relevant bone anatomical structure, and the plate or housing does not have a negative impact on the surrounding soft tissue; the sensor module 5, the power supply component and the control circuit 3 are all arranged in the sensor housing; the sensor module 5 and the power supply component are connected to the control circuit 3 signal through a signal path.

[0027] Preferably, the sensor housing is a tibial plate placed between the proximal end of the tibia and the distal end of the femur; the shape of the tibial plate is similar to that of the meniscus;

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, a protrusion 11 is provided in the middle of the upper end cover 1 of the sensor; the upper surface of the upper end cover 1 of the sensor is divided by the protrusion 11, and both left and right sides are flat; it is convenient for the distal end of the femur to slide on the surface of the upper end cover 1 of the sensor, thereby achieving bending activities similar to those of the knee joint.

[0029] The shape of the sensor lower end cover 2 matches the shape of the sensor upper end cover 1 , thereby achieving coupling with the sensor upper end cover 1 .

[0030] In this embodiment, the side of the sensor lower end cover 2 facing the sensor upper end cover 1 is the upper surface; first grooves are provided on the planes on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the sensor lower end cover 2; and a second groove is provided in the middle position of the sensor lower end cover 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the sensor module 5 is disposed in the first groove; the control circuit 3 is disposed in the second groove; and the sensor module 5 is signal-connected to the control circuit 3 via a signal path.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the sensor module 5 includes a plurality of membrane button sensors 51 and a sensor circuit board 52; the sensor circuit board 52 is triangular; the three corners and the center of the triangular sensor circuit board 52 are provided with membrane button sensors 51; the lower surface of the sensor upper end cover 1 is provided with a convex key 12 corresponding to the position of the membrane button sensor 51. When joint force is generated, the membrane button sensor 51 is subjected to force, and the resistance changes. The MCU monitors the voltage change through the ADC port, and after transparent transmission to the APP, the pressure value is obtained after conversion by the APP. In use, the sensor module 5 monitors the data of each membrane button sensor 51 in real time, and transmits it to the APP in real time; the APP calculates and displays in real time, thereby providing navigation for surgical operations.

[0033] In this embodiment, the power supply component includes a power supply and a switch component; the power supply is a button battery, which is connected to the control circuit 3 to supply power to the control circuit 3;

[0034] The switch assembly includes a reed switch and a magnet 4. The reed switch is placed on the signal path of the control circuit 3. The lower surface of the upper end cover 1 of the sensor is provided with an inwardly recessed magnet seat. By inserting the magnet 4 into the magnet seat, the circuit in the reed switch is connected. The user controls the on and off of the overall circuit of the sensor module through the reed switch to control the power circuit. The reed switch is disconnected under normal conditions. As the surrounding magnetic induction intensity increases, the impedance of the reed switch will slowly decrease to achieve the purpose of controlling the on and off of the circuit. The reed switch is encapsulated in the sensor module, and the magnet seat is expected to be inserted with the magnet 4 near the position of the reed switch. After the magnet seat is inserted into the sensor module, due to the influence of the magnet 4, the magnetic induction intensity around the reed switch increases, and the circuit is connected. This method can effectively save electricity and prevent the sensor module from running out of power before use.

[0035] In this embodiment, the control circuit 3 includes a processor and a Bluetooth communication device; the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth communication device through a serial port signal path. The Bluetooth transmitter circuit can be configured to use a wireless network protocol, a cellular communication protocol such as a code division multiple access protocol, a BLE protocol, or other wireless communication protocols, standards, or technologies. In this product, the BLE protocol is used.

[0036] In this embodiment, the signal path is a wire, a printed circuit board wiring, or a signal coupler.

[0037] In this embodiment, the processor realizes signal connection with the external APP through the Bluetooth communication device, and the external APP realizes signal connection with the Bluetooth communication device through the external Bluetooth module. The processor displays the joint force measured by multiple membrane button sensors 51 on the external APP, thereby helping medical personnel to perform treatment operations.

[0038] In this embodiment, the knee joint stress sensor of the present invention is placed between the proximal tibia and the distal femur in the human body, and serves as a prosthetic knee for the human body; by placing connectors on the surfaces of the proximal tibia and the distal femur of the human body; by movably connecting the femoral connector with the upper end surface of the knee joint stress sensor, and fixing the tibial connector with the lower end surface of the knee joint stress sensor, it is positioned between the tibia and the femur, and achieves the same movement as the knee joint.

[0039] In this embodiment, the knee joint stress sensor also includes two displays; the two displays are arranged on the surface of the knee joint stress sensor, and the displays are electrically connected and signal connected to the control circuit through wires. The processor classifies the joint forces measured by the thin film sensors 51 on the left and right sides into joint levels, such as levels 1-5. When performing surgery, medical staff use the values ​​displayed on the two displays on the thin film sensors to determine whether the forces on the left and right sides of the joint are balanced, thereby adjusting the knee joint stress sensor.

[0040] At the same time, the knee joint stress sensor of the present invention can realize signal connection with an external mobile phone APP through a Bluetooth device, and the patient's joint force can be monitored in real time through the sensor module 5. The membrane button sensor 51 on the sensor module 5 can be arranged according to the situation of the inner joint stress point and the outer joint stress point, so as to monitor the real-time stress conditions of each stress point of the patient's joint, and then judge the patient's joint balance according to the stress conditions, so as to carry out timely treatment.

[0041] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any way. Any technician in the relevant technical field, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, makes any form of equivalent replacement or modification to the technical solution and technical content disclosed in the present invention, which does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention and still falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knee joint stress sensor, characterized in that: It includes a sensor upper end cover, a sensor lower end cover, a control circuit, a power supply component and a sensor module; The upper end cover of the sensor and the lower end cover of the sensor are coupled to each other to form a sensor housing, and the sensor module, the power supply component and the control circuit are all arranged in the sensor housing; the sensor module and the power supply component are both connected to the control circuit signal through a signal path; The sensor module comprises a plurality of membrane key sensors and a sensor circuit board; the sensor circuit board is triangular in shape; the membrane key sensors are arranged at the three corners and the center of the triangular sensor circuit board; the lower surface of the upper end cover of the sensor is provided with convex keys corresponding to the positions of the membrane key sensors; The power supply component includes a power supply and a switch component; the power supply is a button battery, and the button battery is connected with the control circuit to supply power to the control circuit; The switch assembly includes a reed switch and a magnet, wherein the reed switch is placed on the signal path of the control circuit; a magnet seat recessed inwardly is provided on the lower surface of the upper end cover of the sensor; and the circuit in the reed switch is connected by inserting the magnet into the magnet seat.

2. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor housing is a tibial plate placed between the proximal end of the tibia and the distal end of the femur; the shape of the tibial plate is similar to that of the meniscus; A protrusion is provided in the middle of the upper end cover of the sensor; the upper surface of the upper end cover of the sensor is divided by the protrusion, and both left and right sides are flat; The shape of the lower end cover of the sensor matches the shape of the upper end cover of the sensor, thereby achieving coupling with the upper end cover of the sensor.

3. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side of the sensor lower end cover facing the sensor upper end cover is the upper surface; the planes on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the sensor lower end cover are provided with first grooves; and the middle position of the sensor lower end cover is provided with a second groove.

4. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor module is arranged in the first groove; the control circuit is arranged in the second groove; the sensor module is connected to the control circuit signal through the signal path.

5. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a processor and a Bluetooth communication device; the processor is communicatively coupled to the Bluetooth communication device via a serial port signal path.

6. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The signal path is a wire, a printed circuit board wiring or a signal coupler.

7. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The processor realizes signal communication with the external APP through the Bluetooth communication device.

8. The knee joint stress sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knee joint stress sensor also includes two displays; the two displays are arranged on the surface of the knee joint stress sensor, and the displays are electrically connected and signal connected with the control circuit through wires.

Images