Motorized Bone Fixation Device Failure Detection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fixation devices lack effective automated systems for detecting potential failures and implementing recovery protocols to ensure continuous operation and prevent system errors.

Innovation Solution

A control system for adjustable bone fixation devices that includes actuators, sensors, and circuitry to monitor operational parameters and implement recovery protocols, such as waiting periods or reciprocating motions, to address potential failures and maintain device functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated control systems are added to bone fixation devices to enable monitoring and recovery protocols, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into separate functional modules: sensors for monitoring operational parameters, circuitry for analyzing data and detecting failures, and actuators for executing recovery protocols. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity while improving reliability through specialized monitoring and response capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors operational parameters (current, voltage, temperature, position) through sensors and uses this feedback to detect potential failures and automatically execute recovery protocols. The closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time detection and response, significantly improving device reliability by preventing failures before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of operational parameters is implemented to detect potential failures, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter monitoring precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors operational parameters at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective detection capability. The control circuitry samples sensor data periodically to identify trends and potential failures, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the excessive energy cost of continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses the device's existing operational parameters (current, voltage, temperature) that are already being measured for control purposes. By repurposing these existing measurements for failure detection, the system achieves precise monitoring without adding significant energy consumption, as the same sensors and circuitry serve dual functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If recovery protocols are implemented to attempt completion of strut adjustment after detecting potential failure, then device reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidtime delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects potential failures early by monitoring operational parameters before they result in complete system failure. By identifying issues such as abnormal current draw or temperature changes in advance, the control system can execute recovery protocols proactively, preventing total failure and minimizing time loss by addressing problems before they escalate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The recovery protocols are designed to resume the interrupted strut adjustment operation once the detected failure is resolved. The system maintains the original treatment plan and attempts to complete the adjustment, ensuring continuous useful action rather than requiring complete restart, thereby reducing overall time loss while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250000549A1Failure detection and sensor based control in a motorized bone fixation device

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 SYNTHES GMBH

AI summary

A control system for use with an adjustable bone fixation device having a frame connectible to bone tissue and a plurality of struts connected to the frame, the control system comprising: a plurality of actuators associated with the plurality of struts, each actuator configured for adjusting a length of at least one strut; and circuitry configured to: signal the plurality of actuators to adjust the struts according to a predefined actuation plan which sets operational parameters and permitted ranges thereof; determine a situation of potential failure associated with at least one actuator and involving at least one of the operational parameters being out of the permitted range; and implement, by signaling the at least one actuator, a recovery protocol designed to attempt completion of strut adjustment according to the predefined actuation plan.