Robotic Acetabular Cup Installation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for total hip replacement surgery, particularly in acetabular cup placement, face challenges due to unpredictable and uncontrolled forces applied during prosthesis installation, leading to inconsistent placement, increased risk of complications, and high failure rates, including hip instability, polyethylene wear, osteolysis, and the need for revision surgery.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for quantitatively assessing the press fit value of an implant-bone interface using real-time monitoring of rigidity and elasticity metrics, allowing for controlled application of force to achieve optimal press fit fixation without relying on surgeon proprioception, and providing intelligent tools for standardizing the installation process and providing feedback on insertion quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manual impactor tools are used for acetabular cup installation, then the surgeon has simple ease of operation, but the placement precision and consistency deteriorate due to unpredictable and uncontrolled forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical impactor system with an automated robotic installation system. The robotic system uses controlled mechanical arms with sensors and actuators to deliver precise, quantified impact forces to the acetabular cup, eliminating the unpredictability of manual hammering while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms during the installation process. Sensors monitor the impact forces, cup position, and bone interaction, providing continuous data to the control system. This feedback loop allows the robotic system to adjust parameters dynamically, ensuring consistent placement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
2Reliability
If automated robotic installation systems are implemented, then placement consistency improves through controlled forces, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex robotic installation system into modular functional components: positioning modules, impact delivery modules, sensing modules, and control modules. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or replaced. This segmentation manages overall device complexity while maintaining high placement consistency through coordinated operation of specialized subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic installation system is designed with multi-functional capabilities that can adapt to different surgical scenarios, implant types, and bone conditions. The system can perform positioning, impact delivery, real-time monitoring, and quality assessment functions, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while improving placement consistency across various surgical situations.
3Measurement precision
If real-time force monitoring is implemented during installation, then quality assessment improves, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary sensing elements and transducers between the impactor and the acetabular cup. These intermediaries convert complex mechanical interactions into measurable electrical signals that can be processed by the control system. The sensors measure impact forces, torque, and displacement, translating difficult-to-detect mechanical phenomena into precise quantitative data for quality assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for quantitatively assessing a press fit value (and provide a mechanism to evaluate optimal quantitative values) of any implant/bone interface regardless the variables involved including bone site preparation, material properties of bone and implant, implant geometry and coefficient of friction of the implant-bone interface without requiring a visual positional assessment of a depth of insertion. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.