Joint Balancing Apparatus with Real-Time Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
During joint replacement surgery, accurately balancing the artificial joint to maximize range of motion and minimize the risk of follow-up procedures is challenging due to changes in joint mechanics.
Innovation Solution
A joint balancing apparatus comprising a first portion coupled to a first bony structure, a second portion coupled between the first portion and a second bony structure, and a transducer/actuator system that provides real-time feedback and adjusts the joint alignment during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If real-time feedback and adjustment mechanisms are added to improve joint balancing precision, then manufacturing precision and measurement precision improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect joint position, force, and range of motion in real-time during surgery. This feedback is transmitted to a computer system that processes the data and provides immediate guidance to the surgeon, enabling precise adjustment of joint alignment without requiring complex manual measurement techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment tools and manual measurement methods with electronic sensing systems and computer-based control. Transducers convert mechanical joint parameters into electrical signals for digital processing, eliminating the need for complex mechanical gauges and manual calculation systems
2Measurement precision
If transducer/actuator systems are integrated to provide real-time feedback, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (position, force, range of motion detection) into an integrated transducer system that operates as a unified module. The computer system merges data from all sensors into a single coherent feedback display, simplifying the user interface despite the complexity of underlying components
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously using the same hardware platform. The actuator can adjust various joint parameters through a single control interface, reducing the number of separate devices needed while maintaining high measurement precision across multiple parameters
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable components are added to enable real-time joint alignment modification, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs actuators that can dynamically adjust joint alignment parameters in real-time during surgery based on feedback from sensors. The system transitions from static pre-configured alignment to dynamic real-time adjustment, allowing the joint to be adapted to the patient's specific anatomy and surgical requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables modification of multiple joint parameters (position, orientation, range of motion limits) through the actuator system controlled by the computer. This allows the same basic apparatus to be adapted to different joint types and surgical scenarios by changing control parameters rather than replacing physical components
Data Source
AI summary
A joint replacement balancing system which provides real-time feedback to a surgeon during a joint replacement surgery to assist the surgeon to balance a joint replacement. The joint replacement balancing system includes a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive a signal from a joint balancing apparatus, determine if the joint replacement is out of balance, determine a corrective course of action to bring the joint into balance and generate and display to the surgeon during the joint replacement surgery a recommended corrective course of action to complete the joint replacement surgery.