Non-Visual Orthopaedic Force Feedback for Joint Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopaedic surgical procedures face challenges in monitoring joint forces during knee and hip arthroplasty due to reliance on visual feedback, which can be cumbersome and imprecise, especially when balancing forces and determining reaming depths.
Innovation Solution
A non-visual feedback system using a tibial paddle with a sensor array and controller that provides audible or tactile indications based on force differences, allowing surgeons to adjust and balance joint forces without visual distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual feedback devices are used to monitor joint forces, then force measurement capability is provided, but surgical precision and monitoring accuracy deteriorate due to visual distraction and difficulty in monitoring both joint gap space and visual feedback simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual feedback mechanisms with non-visual feedback mechanisms. Specifically, it uses audible indicators (sound waves) and tactile indicators (mechanical vibrations) to convey force measurement information to the surgeon, eliminating the need for visual monitoring of force values while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate feedback devices (audible indicator and tactile indicator) that mediate between the force measurement system and the surgeon. These indicators translate complex force data into simple, intuitive signals that can be perceived without visual distraction, allowing the surgeon to monitor both joint gap space and force measurements simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If navigation systems provide visual feedback for monitoring reamed depth, then measurement capability is improved, but the ability to monitor both patient's hip joint and visual feedback simultaneously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the same substitution principle to hip surgery navigation systems. It replaces visual feedback about reamed depth with non-visual feedback (audible and tactile indicators), allowing surgeons to monitor reamed depth precision without the distraction of visual displays, thereby maintaining the ability to monitor both the hip joint and measurement feedback simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual force balancing is performed based on surgical experience, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and joint force distribution accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms that provide immediate information about joint force distribution to the surgeon during the surgical procedure. The sensor array continuously measures forces, and the non-visual indicators provide continuous feedback about force balance status, enabling precise force distribution control while maintaining procedural simplicity through automated measurement and feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service force measurement and monitoring by automatically detecting and displaying force values without requiring complex manual measurement procedures. The sensor array and feedback indicators work autonomously to provide real-time force information, freeing the surgeon from complex measurement tasks while maintaining high precision in force distribution.
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
Enhances precision in joint force balancing and reaming depth determination by providing real-time, non-visual feedback, improving surgical outcomes through enhanced accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data indicative of a force between the patient's tibia and femur
Implementation Method 2
activate the audible indicator to produce an audible indication having a characteristic that is dependent on a magnitude of the difference between the sensor data and the target force value
Implementation Method 3
activate the tactile indicator to produce a tactile indication having a characteristic that is dependent on a magnitude of the difference between the sensor data and the target force value
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for non-visual monitoring of an orthopaedic surgical procedure includes determining a difference between a measured or sensed value of an aspect of the orthopaedic surgical procedure and a target value of the aspect of the orthopaedic surgical procedure. A non-visual indicator is activated to produce a non-visual indication having a characteristic that is dependent on a magnitude of the difference between the measured or sensed value and the target value. In some embodiments, the aspect of the orthopaedic surgical procedure may include as a force established between a patient's tibia and femur. In other embodiments, the aspect the orthopaedic surgical procedure may include a location of a femoral broach relative to the patient's boney anatomy.