Joint Distraction Device for Ligament Balancing in Knee Arthroplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical systems for joint replacement procedures, such as knee arthroplasty, face challenges in accurately determining soft tissue behavior under load, leading to inconsistent outcomes due to subjective force application and preoperative bone cuts being made before assessing soft tissue response, limiting adjustment possibilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a computing system to receive musculoskeletal models and patient biometric data, apply forces to the joint using a joint distraction device, track positions, and determine force magnitudes through a range of motion to provide a surgical plan optimizing implant position, bone resection, and ligament balancing, allowing for pre-bone cut assessment of soft tissue properties like ligament strain and displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional subjective force application is used during surgery, then the surgical procedure is simple to perform, but the measurement precision of soft tissue behavior is poor leading to inconsistent outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical force application with an objective robotic system that applies controlled forces through a range of motion. The robotic arm applies varus and valgus stresses while sensors measure the actual forces, replacing manual surgeon application with automated mechanical systems that provide precise, repeatable measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the patient's joint. The robotic arm acts as a mediator that applies controlled forces through the distraction device, allowing precise measurement of soft tissue behavior without requiring the surgeon to manually apply and estimate forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bone cuts are made before assessing soft tissue response, then the surgical workflow is efficient, but the adaptability to adjust for soft tissue behavior is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs soft tissue assessment through robotic force application and measurement before making bone cuts. By measuring ligament strain and joint gap through range of motion testing with the distraction device first, the surgical plan can be adjusted beforehand, allowing for better adaptability without delaying the overall procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If hand measurements and visual estimates are used for implant sizing, then the ease of operation is high, but the manufacturing precision of implant fit is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual hand measurements and visual estimates with an automated robotic system that applies controlled forces and measures joint gap and ligament strain. The robotic arm provides objective, quantifiable data about soft tissue behavior that directly informs implant sizing, replacing subjective manual assessment with precise mechanical measurement.
4Reliability
If subjective force application is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of surgical outcomes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors measure the actual forces applied during robotic distraction, and this data is used to adjust and refine the surgical plan. The system continuously monitors soft tissue response through range of motion testing and uses this feedback to optimize implant positioning and sizing, ensuring consistent and reliable outcomes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for planning a joint replacement surgical procedure are disclosed. A musculoskeletal model for a patients joint and patient biometric data are received. A joint distraction device is positioned in the patients joint during the joint replacement surgical procedure, and the position and orientation of the joint distraction device are tracked as the patient's joint is moved through a range of motion in order to determine a magnitude of a force applied to the joint distraction device. A surgical plan for performing the joint replacement surgical procedure is provided based on the magnitude of the force applied throughout the range of motion, the musculoskeletal model, and the patient biometric data. The surgical plan includes implant position information, bone resection information, and/or ligament balancing information.