Knee Replacement Load and Gap Balancing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knee replacement surgery faces challenges in achieving optimal outcomes due to complexities in balancing extension and flexion gaps and tissue tensions within the knee joint, often resulting in suboptimal results and complications such as instability and premature wear of artificial implants.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for load and gap balancing in knee replacement surgery, utilizing sensor devices to measure knee joint gaps and a tensioner device for precise ligament tensioning, along with patient-specific instruments for initial implant positioning, enabling accurate and objective data-driven decision-making during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual techniques and subjective assessments are used to balance gaps and ligament tension, then the surgical procedure is simple to perform, but the measurement precision and reliability of the outcome are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement techniques with electronic sensor devices that use optical or electromagnetic fields to measure gap distances and ligament forces. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic/mechanical fields enables precise, objective quantification of gap dimensions and tissue tension without relying on surgeon subjectivity or simple manual tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor devices as intermediary elements between the surgical field and the measurement system. These sensors act as mediators that convert physical gap dimensions and ligament forces into electrical signals that can be processed and displayed, enabling accurate indirect measurement without direct manual intervention.
2Reliability
If sensor devices and tensioner devices are used to achieve precise gap and ligament tension balancing, then the reliability of surgical outcome is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback loops where sensor devices continuously monitor gap dimensions and ligament forces during surgery, and this data is immediately displayed to guide surgical adjustments. The tensioner devices respond to sensor input by automatically adjusting ligament tension, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances reliability through continuous monitoring and correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioner devices are designed to automatically adjust ligament tension based on sensor measurements without requiring constant manual intervention. The system serves itself by using sensor data to drive automatic tensioning adjustments, reducing the need for continuous surgeon manipulation while maintaining reliable gap balance.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time sensor measurement and data-driven decision making are implemented, then the manufacturing precision of implant positioning is improved, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous measurement and real-time display of gap and ligament data throughout the surgical procedure. Rather than taking discrete measurements at separate stages, the sensor devices continuously monitor parameters, allowing the surgical team to maintain continuous awareness of gap balance status and make immediate adjustments without interrupting the surgical flow for separate measurement sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements and calculations of optimal implant positioning before final implant placement. By pre-calculating the required gap balance and ligament tension parameters based on initial sensor data, the system prepares positioning guidelines in advance, reducing the time needed for iterative adjustments during the actual implantation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for load and gap balancing in knee replacement surgery. The system incorporates sensor devices, such as load cells, pressure, ultrasound or optical, to accurately measure gaps and ligament tensions within the knee joint during surgery. Additionally, a tensioner device, which can be a manual spreader, a spring-loaded mechanism, or a motorized linear actuator, is employed to tension the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, as well as patella tendon, based on the measured data. These real-time measurements are transmitted to a computer or robotic surgery system, which provides real-time visualization of the data and assists the surgeon in determining the appropriate gap and ligament tension for each individual patient. Using soft tissue analysis, the real-time sensor data can be displayed on a computer recommending appropriate gap and ligament tension, implant size and shape, and individualized knee alignment based on optimal outcome.