Intermedullary Lengthening Implant With Integrated Load Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable bone adjustment systems lack real-time feedback on forces applied, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased health risks for patients.
Innovation Solution
Implants with integrated load sensors that provide real-time feedback on the loads applied, allowing for more precise and aggressive adjustment protocols, reducing the need for imaging and enhancing patient outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing implantable bone adjustment systems are used without load sensors, then the device complexity is lower, but real-time feedback on forces applied is unavailable leading to inefficiencies and increased health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates load sensors that provide real-time feedback on forces applied during bone adjustment. This feedback mechanism allows monitoring of adjustment forces, enabling timely detection of abnormal loading conditions and improving patient safety by preventing complications before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The load sensor acts as an intermediary component between the adjustment mechanism and the control system. It mediates the force transmission path, converting mechanical load into measurable signals that can be processed to provide real-time information about the adjustment forces applied to the bone.
2Measurement precision
If load sensors are integrated into the implant, then real-time feedback is provided improving adjustment precision, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor provides real-time feedback on adjustment forces, enabling precise monitoring and control of the bone adjustment process. This feedback allows for optimized adjustment protocols and timely intervention when abnormal forces are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic load sensors. This substitution enables more precise and reliable force measurement while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to traditional mechanical measurement approaches.
3Productivity
If traditional imaging methods are used to monitor bone adjustment, then structural information is obtained, but the process is time-consuming and increases health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor provides continuous real-time feedback on adjustment forces, eliminating the need for periodic imaging to monitor adjustment progress. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring without time loss, improving productivity while reducing the time required for bone adjustment protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical imaging systems with electronic load sensing. This replacement provides immediate, real-time force measurement without the time delays and radiation exposure associated with traditional imaging methods, thereby increasing productivity and reducing monitoring time.
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 implants with integrated load sensors enable more precise bone adjustment, reduce health risks, and allow for shorter adjustment protocols by providing real-time feedback, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic actuator configured to be actuated by a magnetic field external to the patient's body
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include implants and related methods for moving bone. Certain implementations include an implant for moving bone in a patient's body, the implant including: an implantable biocompatible housing; a first adjustment rod at least partially overlapping the implantable biocompatible housing; a driver configured to drive the first adjustment rod to enable movement of the first adjustment rod relative to the housing; and a load sensor positioned within the housing and configured to indicate a load applied by the driver on the first adjustment rod.