Knee Joint Orientation Fixture for Precise Cutting Plane Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint replacement procedures, particularly knee joint replacements, face challenges in accurately aligning and positioning prosthetic components without the complexity and high cost of computer navigation systems, and simple methods like 'eyeballing' are not sufficiently accurate.
Innovation Solution
A surgical orientation device with a portable housing, orthopedic fixtures, and a sensor system, including a multi-axis accelerometer, is used to monitor and display orientation data for precise alignment of cutting planes relative to the mechanical axis of the knee joint, utilizing a three-dimensional coordinate reference system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer navigation systems are used to track spatial location and movement of surgical instruments, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex computer navigation systems by using a portable surgical orientation device with accelerometers and gyroscopes that directly measure orientation without requiring comprehensive spatial tracking infrastructure. This extraction maintains measurement precision while eliminating the complexity of full computer navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or portable measurement devices (surgical orientation devices with accelerometers) that can be easily discarded or replaced after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and reusable navigation infrastructure. This approach maintains sufficient measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If simple methods like 'eyeballing' alignment are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual estimation method (eyeballing alignment) with an electronic measurement system using accelerometers and gyroscopes that objectively quantify orientation. This substitution maintains simplicity by using a portable device that directly measures the required parameters without complex infrastructure, while achieving precision through electronic sensing rather than visual estimation.
3Measurement precision
If complex navigation systems are used to determine spatial location of tools and landmarks, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and training requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential orientation measurement capability from complex navigation systems, creating a portable device that measures flexion-extension and varus-valgus angles directly without requiring the operator to manage complex spatial tracking systems. This extraction maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical orientation device automatically measures and displays orientation data without requiring the surgeon to manually track or calculate spatial positions. The accelerometers and gyroscopes self-measure the orientation relative to anatomical landmarks, eliminating the need for complex manual operations and extensive training.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective positioning of prosthetic components by simplifying the procedure and reducing the need for complex navigation systems, enhancing the precision of joint replacements.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor comprises a multi-axis accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.