Closed-Loop Impactor for Hip Broach Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cementless femoral stem fixation techniques in hip replacements lack precise control over impact strength during broach insertion, leading to a high incidence of periprosthetic femoral fractures due to subjective force application and lack of feedback on bone condition.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing sensors and a processor to provide real-time feedback and control the impact force and frequency of broach insertion, using a closed-loop system with sensors like accelerometers, ultrasonic transducers, and acoustic emission sensors to analyze shock waves and adjust the impactor's action to prevent excessive force and ensure stable stem-bone connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual hammer impacting is used for broach insertion, then the surgeon can control the insertion process, but the impact strength cannot be precisely controlled leading to bone fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors (accelerometers, ultrasonic transducers, acoustic emission sensors) that provide real-time feedback on bone condition and impact effects, allowing the processor to adjust impact parameters dynamically to prevent bone fractures while ensuring proper broach insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical hammering system with an automated impactor system controlled by a processor that uses sensor data to precisely control impact force, frequency, and timing, eliminating subjective force application
2Measurement precision
If automated impactor system is used, then precise impact control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple sensor types (accelerometer, ultrasonic transducer, acoustic emission sensor) into a single multi-functional sensing apparatus that can detect various aspects of bone condition and impact effects, reducing the need for separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensor types, processes this information, and translates it into controlled impactor actions, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces the risk of bone fractures by optimizing the impact force and frequency, ensuring proper broach insertion without excessive stress, thereby enhancing the stability and ingrowth of the cementless stem while minimizing the risk of subsidence and instability.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be any of (or combination of) a variety of sensors including accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be any of (or combination of) a variety of sensors including ultrasonic; acoustic transducer, which transmits and receives acoustic radiation
Implementation Method 3
The sensor may be any of (or combination of) a variety of sensors including microphone; acoustic emission sensor
Implementation Method 4
The impactor is configured to impact on the broach handle to mechanically insert the broach into the bone
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for inserting a broach or stem into a bone, the broach and stem having an associated handle for impaction. The apparatus includes: a closed loop impactor configured to provide a series of impacts on the handle: at least one sensor configured to sense the series of impacts, including sensing the bone stress and to provide real-time feedback of a condition of the bone to the impactor's impact force, displacement and impact frequency; and a processor operably connected to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the real-time feedback therefrom, and operably connected to the impactor to control the rate and force of the impacts that the impactor applies to the broach.