Intramedullary Nail Rotary Orientation Monitoring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting intramedullary nails to re-establish the rotary orientation of extremity bone fragments are inaccurate, leading to potential damage to the hip or knee due to mal-positioning, and existing solutions involve high X-ray loads and non-exact positioning.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a targeting system with rotary orientation determining units, imaging systems, and sensing units to accurately match the rotary orientation of intramedullary implants with respect to anatomical landmarks, allowing precise positioning of bone fragments without manual data transfer, using a combination of imaging devices and transceiving units for real-time orientation feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If freehand estimation is used to determine rotary orientation of bone fragments, then the surgical procedure is simple and quick, but the positioning accuracy is poor leading to substantial deviations and potential damage to hip or knee
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual freehand estimation with an automated optical-mechanical system comprising a C-arm imaging device, targeting device with sensors, and computer processing unit. The system automatically determines rotary orientation by detecting anatomical landmarks and calculating orientation parameters, eliminating subjective manual estimation while providing objective, precise measurements through coordinate system transformations and landmark-based calculations.
2Measurement precision
If permanent monitoring of entire rotary and positional orientation is implemented, then complete position information is obtained, but the X-ray load increases significantly and exact positioning is still not achieved due to anatomical geometry limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only the critical measurement information needed for rotary orientation determination by focusing on specific anatomical landmarks (such as the femoral neck-shaft angle and anteversion) rather than attempting to monitor the entire bone structure. This selective approach obtains sufficient positioning accuracy while minimizing radiation exposure by limiting imaging to specific angles and landmarks rather than continuous full-bone monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial monitoring by capturing orientation data at key surgical milestones (pre-implantation, during implantation, post-implantation) rather than continuous monitoring. The C-arm device takes targeted X-ray images at specific angles to determine rotary orientation, providing adequate measurement precision without the excessive radiation burden of permanent continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If femoral neck anteversion guide with radio opaque angle locator wire is used, then femoral neck angle and anteversion can be determined, but the X-ray load increases and positioning accuracy remains non-exact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a targeting device with sensors and a computer processing unit as intermediaries between the X-ray imaging system and the surgeon. The C-arm device captures images, the targeting device with anatomical landmark detectors automatically identifies key structures, and the computer calculates precise orientation parameters. This intermediary automated system eliminates the need for multiple manual X-ray checks with guide wires, reducing radiation exposure while improving accuracy through systematic landmark-based calculations.
4Measurement precision
If manual data transfer and positioning methods are used, then the surgical procedure is straightforward, but the rotary orientation matching between bone fragments is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the C-arm device continuously monitors the rotary orientation of bone fragments and the intramedullary implant, the computer calculates orientation parameters, and the surgeon receives real-time feedback on positioning accuracy. The system provides quantitative feedback on whether the implant is correctly aligned with the bone fragments, allowing iterative adjustment until precise matching is achieved, thereby improving accuracy without significantly complicating the surgical workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Device and a method for positioning and monitoring the rotary orientation of extremity bone fragments when implanting an intramedullary implant, and in particular to a device and a method for monitoring the rotary orientation of extremity bone fragments of the leg when implanting an intramedullary nail by using a monitoring of locking means of the intramedullary nail which so as to improve the accuracy of the orientation of extremity bone fragments.