Adjustable Ligament Joint Simulator for Knee Pathology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ligament knee simulators are inadequate for precisely simulating different types of partial or complete lesions, which are difficult to diagnose and teach due to their limited ability to replicate the complexities of single- or multi-ligament pathologies, often leading to diagnostic errors and unnecessary examinations.
Innovation Solution
A ligament joint simulator comprising artificial bones with anchoring points, adjustable artificial ligaments made of materials like polypropylene and nylon, and a control system that allows independent variation of ligament length and stiffness via actuators and a locking system, enabling simulation of various knee conditions through predefined control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional knee simulators with fixed artificial ligaments are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to simulate different ligament pathologies is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the artificial ligaments adjustable in length through actuation mechanisms. Each ligament can be dynamically modified to simulate different degrees of injury (partial or complete lesions) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This allows the simulator to adapt to various pathological conditions without requiring completely different physical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ligament system into individually adjustable components. Each artificial ligament is equipped with its own actuation mechanism, allowing independent adjustment of each ligament's length. This segmentation enables precise simulation of specific ligament injuries while keeping other ligaments intact, thereby achieving high versatility without excessive overall complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of ligament length is used, then the device complexity is low, but the precision and ease of adjustment are insufficient for accurate pathology simulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated actuation mechanisms. Motorized actuators control the ligament length adjustment process, providing precise and repeatable positioning. This substitution of manual operation with automated mechanical systems achieves high adjustment precision while the modular nature of the actuators keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
3Measurement precision
If independent adjustment of each ligament is enabled, then the simulation accuracy for single- or multi-ligament pathologies improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using standardized actuation mechanisms that can be applied to all artificial ligaments. Each ligament has the same type of adjustment mechanism, allowing the same design to serve multiple functions across different ligaments. This standardization enables independent adjustment of each ligament for accurate simulation of various pathologies while avoiding the complexity of designing unique mechanisms for each ligament.
Data Source
AI summary
A ligament joint simulator including: at least two artificial bones; for each artificial bone, at least one anchoring point on said artificial bone; at least one artificial ligament connecting two anchoring points of a different artificial bone; and an adjustment means connected to the artificial ligaments. The adjustment means is configured to vary at least one biomechanical characteristic of each artificial ligament between the two associated anchoring points independently of the other artificial ligaments. The adjustment means is configured to receive, for each artificial ligament, an associated control signal and to automatically adjust the length of each artificial ligament in accordance with the associated control signal.