Radio-transparent Joint Pressure Device for Scoliosis Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current preoperative radiographic methods for evaluating the reducibility of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curvatures are imprecise, unreliable, and poorly reproducible, and they expose patients to excessive X-ray irradiation due to the presence of pressure sensors in the X-ray field.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising three or four support units with extendable arms equipped with force and displacement measuring means, allowing precise and reproducible constraint of human joint segments, which can be positioned to exert controlled forces without interfering with X-ray radiography, using radio-transparent materials to minimize X-ray absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are placed in the X-ray field to measure forces, then measurement capability is provided, but X-ray exposure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing functionality is extracted from the pad and relocated to a processing unit that remains outside the X-ray field. The pad itself becomes a simple mechanical interface without embedded sensors, eliminating the contradiction between measurement capability and X-ray exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical transmission system acts as an intermediary between the pad contact point and the pressure sensors. The extendable arm with mechanical advantage mechanism transmits the contact force to the sensors positioned outside the X-ray field, allowing indirect measurement without exposing sensors to radiation.
2Reliability
If multiple support units with sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent support units, each with its own extendable arm and pressure sensing. This segmentation allows for modular configuration (3 or 4 units) to achieve the required measurement reliability without creating a monolithic complex system. Each unit can be independently calibrated and positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
Each support unit is designed as a universal module that can be positioned at different locations and orientations around the patient's body. The same basic structure serves multiple measurement functions depending on its placement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If extendable arms with mechanical advantage are used to apply controlled forces, then force control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical advantage system is replaced with a simpler actuation mechanism combined with electronic force control. Motors or actuators directly drive the extendable arms with feedback control, eliminating the need for complex mechanical leverage systems while achieving precise force control through electronic regulation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical device (1) for applying pressure to a joint segment of a human body, to a corresponding system and to associated uses. The device (1) comprises at least three bearing units (5) intended to be attached to a holder (90), each bearing unit (5) having: an extendable arm (10); a force-measuring means (20) attached to said extendable arm (10); a movement-measuring means (30); a bearing element (40) which is attached to the distal portion of said extendable arm (10), is adapted to be in contact with a part of the human body and makes it possible to apply said force measured by said force-measuring means (20) to said part of the human body; and an attachment means (60) adapted to attach said bearing unit (5) to said holder (90).