Orthopaedic Sensor Device for Joint Force Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Orthopaedic surgeons face challenges in accurately balancing joint forces during surgical procedures, relying on manual feel or instruments like ligament balancers, which can be inefficient and prone to error, especially in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An orthopaedic surgical device with a sensor housing and handle, equipped with a sensor array of pressure sensors that generate signals indicative of joint forces, and a display system to provide a visual indication of these forces, allowing for precise joint force balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgeons rely on manual feel or ligament balancers to balance joint forces, then the procedure can be performed with simple tools, but the measurement precision and reliability of joint force balancing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods with an electronic sensor array that directly measures joint forces. Pressure sensors embedded in the sensor housing provide objective quantitative data, eliminating reliance on surgeon's manual feel and ligament balancer instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a display device as an intermediary between the sensor array and the surgeon. The display visually presents joint force data, making complex measurement information accessible and actionable for surgical decision-making without requiring the surgeon to interpret raw sensor data.
2Measurement precision
If surgeons use computer assisted orthopaedic surgery systems for navigation, then surgical navigation accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines joint force measurement functionality with the orthopaedic surgical instrument itself. The sensor array is integrated into the sensor housing that is part of the surgical tool, allowing simultaneous navigation and force measurement without requiring separate devices or additional procedural steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument performs multiple functions including navigation guidance and joint force measurement simultaneously. The instrument serves itself by providing real-time feedback without requiring separate measurement devices or additional surgical steps, thereby reducing overall procedural time.
3Reliability
If real-time joint force data is provided during surgery, then joint force balancing accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring joint forces through the sensor array and immediately displaying the data during surgery. This allows the surgeon to adjust ligament balancing and implant positioning based on actual measured forces, significantly improving joint force balancing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a navigation tool and a force measurement device. The sensor housing and array can be used across different orthopaedic procedures requiring joint force assessment, amortizing the complexity and cost across multiple applications.
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
The device enables precise visualization and quantification of joint forces, aiding surgeons in achieving balanced joint motion similar to natural joints, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor array may include a plurality of pressure sensors configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a joint force of the patient's joint
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopaedic surgical device for determining the joint force of a patient's joint includes a sensor housing and a handle. The sensor housing is shaped to be positioned in a patient's joint and includes a sensor array positioned therein and configured to generate sensor signals indicative of the joint force of the patient's joint. The handle includes a circuit positioned therein and configured to control a display located on the handle to provide a visual indication of the joint force of the patient's joint. The handle may be physically secured to the sensor housing or may be coupled thereto via a wire to facilitate communications between the sensor array and the circuit.