Adjustable Knee X-Ray Positioning Device for Implant Templating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray templating methods for knee replacement surgeries suffer from inaccuracies due to unreliable positioning of the calibration ball, leading to a 54% success rate in determining the correct implant size, resulting in wasted time and increased storage and transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A device that stabilizes the patient's knee during X-ray imaging, ensuring precise placement of the calibration ball relative to the knee joint, compatible with existing templating software and adjustable to fit various patient sizes and shapes, enhancing accuracy and reducing the need for multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a calibration ball is placed manually next to the knee during X-ray imaging, then the process is simple and quick, but the positioning accuracy is poor leading to templating errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device with a calibration ball holder as an intermediary tool between the manual placement process and the desired accurate positioning. This device provides standardized positioning features that guide the calibration ball to the correct location relative to the knee joint, eliminating the need for manual judgment while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of calibration ball position from variable (manual placement at different locations) to fixed (standardized position using positioning device). By controlling the position parameter through physical guides and standardized features, the system achieves consistent accurate templating across different patients and operators.
2Reliability
If multiple implant sizes are kept on hand to ensure correct sizing, then the accuracy of implant selection is improved, but the storage and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the positioning device provides visual and physical confirmation that the calibration ball is correctly positioned. This feedback loop allows operators to verify proper setup before imaging, increasing confidence in the templating results and reducing the need to keep multiple implant sizes available as a safety margin.
3Illumination intensity
If the calibration ball is placed closer to the X-ray machine to improve visibility, then the image quality improves, but the scaling accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device performs preliminary positioning of the calibration ball before the X-ray is taken. By pre-establishing the correct position using physical guides and standardized features, the system ensures that the ball is at the optimal location for both visibility and scaling accuracy, eliminating the need to compromise between these conflicting requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a device for positioning a knee during an x-ray. The device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a foot plate. The first portion has a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a first edge extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. The second portion has a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a first edge extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. The first edge of the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second edge of the second portion. The foot plate is coupled to the first surface of the first portion.