Force Sensor Adapter for Precise Knee Ligament Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopaedic surgical instruments lack the capability to accurately measure and balance ligament tension during joint replacement procedures, particularly in revision surgeries, where precise alignment and force distribution are crucial for successful implantation of prosthetic joints.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument system incorporating a sensor adapter with a force sensor and a plurality of surgical instruments, each equipped with a sensor connector and registering features, allowing for precise positioning and measurement of forces exerted on the instruments, thereby facilitating accurate ligament balancing and joint space orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional orthopaedic surgical instruments are used without force sensors, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster, but the capability to measure and balance ligament tension is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensing capability is segmented into a separate, modular sensor adapter that can be attached to different surgical instruments. This allows the measurement function to be added without redesigning the entire instrument system, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise measurement while keeping the base instrument design simple and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor adapter serves as an intermediary component between the surgical instrument and the force sensor. This intermediary allows force measurement to be integrated into existing instruments without modifying the instruments themselves, thus adding measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If removable sensor adapters are used with multiple surgical instruments, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor adapter is designed with a universal interface that can be attached to multiple different surgical instruments used in knee replacement procedures. This single adapter design serves multiple functions across different instruments, improving adaptability while avoiding the need for instrument-specific sensor integrations that would increase complexity.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors are integrated into surgical instruments, then ligament balancing precision is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensing function is extracted as a separate, removable adapter rather than being permanently integrated into the surgical instruments. This allows the sensor to be attached only when measurement is needed and removed afterward, maintaining ease of operation for standard procedures while enabling precise measurement when required.
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
Enables precise measurement and balancing of ligament tension, ensuring proper alignment and force distribution during joint replacement surgeries, enhancing the success and reliability of orthopaedic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor positioned within the housing, and a sensor contact extending from the housing. The sensor contact is configured to transfer force exerted on the sensor contact to the force sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic surgical instrument system includes a sensor adapter and multiple surgical instruments. The sensor adapter includes a housing with a force sensor positioned within the housing and a sensor contact configured to transfer force to the force sensor extending from the housing. Each surgical instrument includes a sensor connector configured to receive the sensor adapter at a predetermined location relative to the surgical instrument. Each sensor adapter further includes a registering feature to engage an anatomical feature of a patient or another surgical instrument. The surgical instruments may include a shim that may be attached to a gap assessment tool or a tibial insert trial. Methods associated with the surgical instrument system are also disclosed.