Hermetic Prosthetic Seal with Transmissive Window for Joint Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic joint replacement procedures lack precision in adapting to individual patient variations, leading to inconsistent outcomes and limited post-operative data for improving joint design and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic measurement system with a propagation tuned oscillator (PTO) and zero-crossing receiver is used to accurately measure physical parameters like force and pressure in real-time during orthopedic surgeries, ensuring proper implantation and long-term monitoring of joint health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic circuitry and sensors are implanted within the joint to monitor joint health, then measurement precision and continuous monitoring capability are improved, but the risk of infection and device failure increases due to exposure to the hostile biological environment
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic component is divided into distinct functional zones: a hermetically sealed first region containing electronic circuitry and sensors, and a second region with porous bone-ingrowth surface. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be isolated from the biological environment while maintaining monitoring functionality through the transmissive region.
Solution Approach 2:
A hermetic seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the electronic components and the synovial fluid environment. The transmissive region serves as a mediator that allows optical or electromagnetic signals to pass through the hermetic seal, enabling communication between the sealed sensors and external systems without compromising the seal's protective function.
2Reliability
If a hermetic seal is used to protect electronic circuitry from synovial fluid, then device reliability is improved, but communication between electronic circuitry and remote systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic seal is equipped with a transmissive region that acts as an intermediary, allowing optical or electromagnetic signals to pass through while maintaining the physical barrier against synovial fluid. This enables wireless communication between the implanted sensors and external systems without compromising the hermetic protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or wired communication systems with optical or electromagnetic transmission through the hermetic seal. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connections that would compromise the hermetic seal, allowing wireless data transmission while maintaining protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the prosthetic component surface is made smooth for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing precision is improved, but bone ingrowth and long-term stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic component features different surface qualities in different regions: the first region has a smooth surface for ease of manufacture and electronic component integration, while the second region has a porous bone-ingrowth surface to promote osseointegration. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and bone attachment strength.
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 system enables precise measurement and real-time data collection, enhancing the accuracy of joint implantation, reducing revisions, and providing valuable data for improving joint design and extending implant lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component
Implementation Method 2
The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system
Implementation Method 3
One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health
Data Source
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AI summary
A prosthetic component (3100) suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry (3110) and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure (3102) having at least one support surface, a second structure (3104) having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.