Six-DOF Fracture Robot Reduces X-Ray Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional long bone fracture reduction methods require continuous X-ray irradiation, leading to increased radiation exposure for both doctors and patients, and suffer from poor reduction precision and stability due to two-dimensional information environments.
Innovation Solution
A long-bone fracture-reduction robot equipped with a six-degree-of-freedom parallel robot and electro-hydraulic drivers, which plans and precisely controls the movement of the affected limb based on CT scans, reducing radiation exposure and improving reduction precision and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous X-ray irradiation is performed during fracture reduction operation, then the reduction process can be monitored in real-time, but the radiation exposure to doctor and patient increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs CT scanning before the fracture reduction operation to obtain three-dimensional images of the bone. This preliminary action allows the entire reduction process to be planned and executed without continuous X-ray irradiation during the operation, thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining monitoring capability through pre-planned trajectory design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CT three-dimensional images as a digital copy of the bone structure to plan the reduction trajectory. Instead of relying on continuous real-time X-ray images during operation, the system uses the pre-acquired three-dimensional data to guide the robotic manipulation, eliminating the need for continuous radiation exposure during the reduction process.
2Device complexity
If reduction is performed under two-dimensional information environment, then the operation can be conducted with simple equipment, but the reduction precision and operation stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional X-ray imaging to three-dimensional CT imaging to obtain comprehensive spatial information about the bone structure. This dimensional change enables precise planning of the reduction trajectory in three-dimensional space, significantly improving reduction precision and operation stability while the robotic system executes the planned path with high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual manipulation based on two-dimensional visual estimation with a robotic system controlled by three-dimensional computational planning. The robotic arm, guided by pre-calculated trajectories from CT data, executes the reduction operation with superior precision and stability compared to traditional manual methods.
3Ease of operation
If open reduction treatment way is adopted, then the fracture can be directly visualized and manipulated, but the infection risk increases and blood circulation is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic intermediary system that performs the fracture reduction operation remotely through a controlled mechanical interface. The robot manipulates the bone fragments based on pre-planned trajectories derived from three-dimensional CT data, eliminating the need for direct open surgical exposure and thereby reducing infection risk and tissue damage while maintaining operational precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional open surgical manipulation with a robotic mechanical system that executes reduction operations through precise controlled movements. The robotic arm, guided by three-dimensional computational planning, achieves direct manipulation capability without requiring open surgical exposure, thus avoiding the associated infection risks and blood circulation damage.
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 robot enables precise and stable long bone fracture reduction with reduced radiation exposure, high precision, and improved operation stability by using CT scans to plan the movement track of the six-degree-of-freedom parallel robot, minimizing the need for continuous X-ray irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
plurality of electro-hydraulic drivers... multiple first hydraulic cylinders are in one-to-one driving connection with the multiple electro-hydraulic drivers
Implementation Method 2
The six-degree-of-freedom parallel robot comprises multiple first hydraulic cylinders
Data Source
AI summary
A long-bone fracture-reduction robot is provided, and includes a machine base; a support slidably connected onto the machine base and able to move up and down; a plurality of electro-hydraulic drivers; and a six-degrees-of-freedom parallel robot arranged on the support, with the motion of the robot in six degrees of freedom hydraulically controllable using the plurality of electro-hydraulic drivers. The long-bone fracture-reduction robot includes two long-bone-fixing frames, one frame being coupled to the support and other being coupled to the six-degree-of-freedom parallel robot. The two long-bone-fixing frames are arranged to be side by side. Each of the two long-bone-fixing frames is fixedly connected to a corresponding mounting-and fixing plate.