Hip Arthroplasty Sensor for Impingement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting dislocation, leg length discrepancy, and instability during total hip arthroplasty are inadequate, as they rely on subjective tactile feedback and inaccurate traditional methods, failing to anticipate and address these issues effectively during or immediately after surgery.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a hip arthroplasty system with sensors, such as Hall effect sensors or magnetometers, embedded in the trunnion or femoral head, which detect magnetic fields from magnets on the acetabular component to assess joint stability, range of motion, and risk of impingement, providing quantitative data for intraoperative adjustments and postoperative guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional tactile feedback methods are used to assess acetabular component positioning, then the surgical process remains simple and quick, but the measurement precision and reliability of detecting dislocation and impingement are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of impingement and dislocationVSAvoidcomplexity of sensing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical tactile feedback methods with magnetic field-based sensing. Magnets are embedded in the acetabular component and detected by sensors (such as Hall effect sensors or magnetometers) in the femoral component or surgical navigation system. This substitution enables precise, objective quantification of component positioning, range of motion, and impingement risk without relying on subjective manual palpation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the acetabular and femoral components. The magnetic field serves as a non-contact mediator that transmits positional and orientational information from the implanted components to the detection system, enabling accurate assessment of joint stability and impingement without direct mechanical contact during measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard inclination or anteversion angle targeting is used for cup alignment, then the surgical procedure is straightforward, but the adaptability to individual patient anatomy and needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to patient-specific anatomyVSAvoidsimplicity of alignment procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback through magnetic sensing that provides quantitative data on acetabular component positioning relative to patient-specific anatomy. The system measures actual range of motion and detects impingement points, allowing surgeons to adjust alignment based on objective feedback rather than relying solely on pre-planned standard angles. This enables customization of cup orientation to individual patient needs while maintaining procedural guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If intraoperative detection methods are used to assess joint stability, then postoperative complications can be reduced, but the additional time and complexity during surgery increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stability assessmentVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary assessment of joint stability and impingement risk during the surgical procedure itself, before final implantation. By using magnetic sensors to detect potential problems with acetabular component positioning and range of motion, surgeons can make immediate adjustments to prevent postoperative dislocation and impingement, rather than waiting for postoperative evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system enables precise assessment of acetabular component positioning, reducing the risk of postoperative impingement and dislocation by providing real-time feedback and data for personalized surgical techniques and patient-specific care, improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor, a reed switch, a proximity sensor, or a magnetometer to detect a magnetic field emitted by a magnetic component in the acetabular component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11234825B2Device for sensing implant location and impingement

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 ZIMMER INC

AI summary

Embodiments of a system and method for assessing hip arthroplasty component movement are generally described herein. A method may include receiving data from a sensor embedded in a femoral head component, the femoral head component configured to fit in an acetabular component, determining information about a magnetic field from the data, and outputting an indication of an orientation, coverage, or a force of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular component.