Optical Implant Seating Detection to Prevent Bone Fractures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries, such as THA and TSA, face challenges in visualizing anatomical structures, leading to peri-prosthetic bone fractures during the impaction and fixation of orthopedic implements due to reliance on subjective tactile, visual, and auditory senses, which are not reliable for detecting stress fractures.

Innovation Solution

The use of a device with a light source and detector, such as a laser and sensor, to measure the distance between the orthopedic implement and the bone, providing a direct measurement of seating and detecting hairline cracks through methods like triangulation and enhanced imaging techniques, ensuring precise fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive surgical techniques are used, then surgical trauma and recovery time are reduced, but the ability to visualize anatomical structures is diminished leading to unreliable detection of stress fractures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical traumaVSAvoiddetection of stress fractures

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective tactile, visual, and auditory sensing with an optical measurement system. A light source projects light onto the bone surface, and a detector measures the reflected light to objectively detect bone fractures and monitor implant seating, eliminating reliance on the surgeon's subjective senses while maintaining minimally invasive benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical measurement system between the surgical tool and the bone. The light source and detector act as intermediaries that translate physical bone conditions into measurable optical signals, providing objective feedback without requiring direct visual exposure of deep anatomical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If reliance is placed on subjective tactile, visual, and auditory senses, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision and reliability of fracture detection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of surgical toolsVSAvoiddetection of hairline cracks

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes subjective human senses with an optical measurement system consisting of a light source and detector. This system provides objective, precise measurement of bone integrity by analyzing light reflection patterns, enabling detection of hairline cracks that are imperceptible to human senses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector continuously monitors light reflection from the bone surface during impaction. This real-time feedback provides objective data on bone integrity and implant seating, allowing the surgeon to adjust the impaction process to prevent fractures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Strength

If impaction force is applied to ensure implant fixation, then fixation strength is improved, but the risk of inducing stress fractures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant fixationVSAvoidstress fractures

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses real-time optical feedback during the impaction process to monitor bone integrity. The detector continuously measures light reflection patterns, providing feedback that allows the surgeon to apply sufficient fixation force while stopping before inducing stress fractures, achieving optimal fixation without harmful side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary detection of bone weakness areas before applying impaction force. By scanning the bone surface with light before and during impaction, the system identifies vulnerable regions that require modified impaction techniques, preventing fractures before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach allows for accurate detection of orthopedic implement seating and hairline cracks, reducing the risk of peri-prosthetic fractures by ensuring proper implant fixation, thereby improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications.

Implementation Method 1

A light source and detector, such as a laser and sensor, are used to measure the distance between the orthopedic implement and the bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

providing a direct measurement of seating and detecting hairline cracks through methods like triangulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriangulation: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS12514668B2Devices and methods for reducing intraoperative bone fractures

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 ORTHOIQ INC

AI summary

Described herein are devices and related methods configured to establish that a femoral or humerus component implant is fully seated during femoral or humerus implant impaction. Such devices described herein may include a laser, detector, and processor and, optionally, a camera. Results of the device use may be transmitted to and/or displayed on a computing device.