Robot Arm Implant Alignment Reducing X-Ray Exposure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for aligning implants with bony structures during surgery often require repeated x-ray imaging, leading to increased radiation exposure and limited accuracy, especially in procedures like hip, knee, or ankle surgeries, where misalignment can severely impact mobility.

Innovation Solution

A computer-assisted surgery device and method using a segmented robot arm that acquires x-ray images, determines deviations in implant trajectories, and controls the robot arm's motion to align implants with the desired trajectory, reducing human error and the need for repeated imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If repeated x-ray imaging is used to monitor implant alignment, then measurement precision of implant position is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment accuracyVSAvoidpatient radiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary 3D planning and simulation before surgery to pre-determine the optimal implant trajectory and positioning. Virtual reality visualization allows the surgeon to plan the exact implant path in advance, reducing the need for repeated intraoperative x-ray adjustments and thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback on implant positioning through optical tracking and 3D visualization. The robotic arm continuously monitors the implant's position and trajectory during insertion, providing immediate feedback to the surgeon to make precise adjustments without requiring repeated x-ray imaging, thus reducing radiation exposure while ensuring accurate alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If manual alignment methods are used by the surgeon, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of implant placement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment system simplicityVSAvoidimplant placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon's intent and the actual implant placement. It provides a mechanical guidance system with predefined trajectories and positioning mechanisms that ensure high precision implant placement while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive control interfaces and pre-programmed motion paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual freehand alignment with a robotic mechanical guidance system. The robotic arm uses computer-controlled mechanisms, optical tracking, and 3D modeling to achieve precise implant positioning, substituting human manual alignment with automated mechanical precision while maintaining operational simplicity through software control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If traditional navigation systems with trackers and stereo cameras are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition monitoring accuracyVSAvoidnavigation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple functions into the robotic arm itself: positioning, tracking, guidance, and execution are integrated into a single unified platform. The robotic arm combines mechanical positioning with optical tracking and 3D visualization capabilities, eliminating the need for separate tracker systems and stereo cameras while maintaining high measurement precision and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If multiple iterative adjustments are made to achieve correct implant alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment accuracyVSAvoidsurgery duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs all necessary planning, trajectory calculation, and positioning optimization before the actual implant insertion. The virtual reality simulation and 3D modeling allow the surgeon to finalize the implant path in advance, so that during surgery the robotic arm can execute the pre-planned trajectory with minimal adjustments, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining high alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm replaces manual iterative adjustments with automated precision positioning. The computer-controlled robotic system can make sub-millimeter adjustments rapidly and accurately based on real-time feedback, eliminating the time-consuming trial-and-error process of manual alignment while achieving superior precision in a single pass or with minimal corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230106323A1Computer Assisted Surgery Device Having A Robot Arm And Method For Operating The Same

Publication Date: 2023.04.06 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED

AI summary

A computer assisted surgery device and a method for operating the same which allows a more efficient positioning and application of an implant with respect to a bony structure, wherein the computer-assisted surgery device having a robot arm and a method for operating the same resulting in a shorter operation time and less intensity of x-ray exposure for a patient.