Actuated Joint Balancing Insert for Arthroplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current arthroplasty procedures rely heavily on surgical expertise for balancing artificial joints, which is largely subjective and can lead to misalignment, limited range of motion, pain, and early failure of the artificial joint.
Innovation Solution
The development of an actuated positioning and sensing device with one or more plates, sensors, and an actuated mechanism that provides accurate and dynamic adjustments of the joint by measuring force, position, and angular data, allowing for precise balancing and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual balancing by surgeon is used, then surgical expertise can be applied, but the process is subjective and leads to misalignment and limited range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical balancing process with an automated actuated positioning device that uses motors or actuators to precisely position the prosthetic joint components. Sensors detect position and provide feedback to automatically adjust alignment, eliminating the need for subjective manual balancing by the surgeon while achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated positioning device incorporates sensors and actuators that automatically adjust the joint positioning without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates the position of femoral and tibial components based on sensor feedback, enabling the device to perform its own balancing function with high precision.
2Loss of information
If physical holding and feeling method is used, then the surgeon can assess joint movement, but the process relies on subjective experience and knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor joint position, alignment, and movement parameters. This objective measurement data is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the actuated components to achieve optimal positioning. The feedback loop eliminates reliance on subjective surgeon assessment by providing real-time quantitative information about joint balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual physical assessment method is replaced with an automated sensing and actuation system. Sensors detect joint parameters objectively, and actuators make precise adjustments based on this data, converting the subjective tactile evaluation process into an objective, measurable, and controllable automated system.
3Manufacturing precision
If accurate and dynamic adjustments are implemented, then joint balancing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuated positioning device incorporates integrated sensors and actuators that automatically adjust the joint positioning without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates the position of femoral and tibial components based on sensor feedback, enabling the device to perform its own balancing function with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated positioning device is designed to perform multiple functions: positioning femoral and tibial components, measuring joint parameters through sensors, and automatically adjusting alignment. This multi-functional integration achieves high positioning precision while managing overall system complexity through combined operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint balancing insert with sensors and an actuated mechanism is disclosed. The joint balancing insert is used to balance a joint during arthroplasty surgery, as the sensors provide force, position and angular data relating to the movement of the joint, while the actuated mechanism allows for highly accurate and dynamic adjustments of the joint based on the data from the sensors. Various configurations of actuated mechanisms and sensors may be implemented in the insert to provide for manual or real time control of the insert, and customized interfaces are provided for visualized feedback of adjustments. Sensor data may also be collected and compared with expected or preferred data sets to provide adjustment recommendations and achieve better outcomes based on historical data.