Orthopedic Impactor Force Sensor for Bone Fracture Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in quantifying the optimal degree of insertion and impact force for orthopedic implants during surgical procedures, leading to potential bone fractures and suboptimal primary stability, as existing methods rely on empirical techniques and lack precise measurement tools.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a force sensor and processing means that measures the temporal variation of impaction force during each impact, providing a real-time indicator of the degree of insertion and stability of orthopedic instruments in the receiving bone, allowing for informed decision-making by surgeons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high impact energy is applied to achieve good primary stability, then the degree of insertion and area of contact between bone and implant is improved, but the risk of preoperative fracturing of the receiving bone increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a force sensor to measure the impaction force in real-time and providing this information back to the surgeon through a display device. The surgeon can adjust the impact energy based on the measured force, ensuring sufficient insertion without exceeding bone fracture thresholds. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by enabling dynamic adjustment of impact energy during the surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If empirical methods are used to determine impact force, then the surgical procedure is simple to perform, but the precision of measuring the degree of insertion and impact force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces empirical mechanical judgment with a force sensor-based measurement system. The force sensor electronically measures the impaction force and provides precise quantitative data, substituting the surgeon's subjective empirical assessment with objective mechanical measurement. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision.
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 evaluation of the degree of insertion and stability, reducing the risk of bone fractures and improving surgical outcomes by providing a reliable, real-time assessment of primary stability, thus ensuring optimal implant placement.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor able to measure, upon each impact, said impaction force applied by the impacter to said impact surface and to supply a measurement signal indicative of the temporal variation of said applied impaction force
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) assisting with the placement of an orthopedic instrument (2) intended to be inserted in a receiving bone (3) by impaction, by means of an impacter (10) comprising at least one striking surface (11) designed to come into contact with an impact surface coupled to said orthopedic instrument in order to apply an impaction force to said orthopedic instrument (2), said device being characterized in that it comprises a force sensor (12) able to measure, upon each impact, said impaction force applied by the impacter (10) to said impact surface and to supply a measurement signal indicative of the temporal variation of said applied impaction force, said force sensor (12) being connected to processing means (30) designed to determine, on the basis of the temporal variation of said impaction force supplied for each impact in succession, an indicator representative of the degree of insertion of said orthopedic instrument (2) in the receiving bone (3).