Robotic Knee Joint Play Quantification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing knee joint instability, such as manual tests, are subjective and inconsistent, leading to inaccurate assessments of ligament damage and joint play, which can result in inappropriate treatment and increased risk of further injury.

Innovation Solution

A robotic testing apparatus that obtains rotational and translational data to compute a quantity indicative of joint play, comparing it to preset thresholds to determine joint instability, providing a more objective and accurate assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tests (Dial test, Lachman test, Varus-Valgus test) are used to evaluate joint play, then the assessment can be performed with simple equipment and操作流程, but the measurement precision and reliability are reduced due to clinician subjectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of testing procedureVSAvoidaccuracy of joint play assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment with an automated robotic system that applies controlled forces and measures joint play objectively. The robotic apparatus uses actuators to apply anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and rotational forces while sensors precisely measure the resulting joint translations and rotations, eliminating clinician subjectivity while maintaining operational feasibility through automated protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the assessment from qualitative subjective evaluation to quantitative objective measurement by capturing multiple parameters including anterior-posterior translation, medial-lateral translation, internal-external rotation, and their combinations at various knee flexion angles. These measured parameters are synthesized into a comprehensive joint play index that provides precise, reproducible assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple manual tests are performed to comprehensively assess joint instability, then the evaluation coverage is improved, but the time consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensiveness of joint assessmentVSAvoidduration of testing procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate manual tests (Dial test for rotation, Lachman test for anterior-posterior translation, Varus-Valgus test for medial-lateral translation) into a single integrated robotic assessment. The system performs all three translation measurements and three rotation measurements in one automated protocol, synthesizing the results into a comprehensive joint play index that provides complete evaluation coverage in reduced time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic testing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform all necessary joint play assessments through a single device. The system can apply forces in multiple directions (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, rotational) and measure corresponding movements, replacing the need for multiple separate manual tests while maintaining comprehensive evaluation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If automated robotic testing is implemented to improve measurement precision, then the reliability and objectivity are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of assessment resultsVSAvoidcomplexity of testing apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a robotic system with actuators, sensors, and control algorithms to replace manual mechanical assessment. The robotic apparatus applies precisely controlled forces and measures joint play with high-precision sensors, ensuring reliable and consistent results. The complexity is managed through automated protocols and synthesis algorithms that process multiple measurements into a single comprehensive joint play index

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10506951B2Joint play quantification and analysis

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 ERMI

AI summary

A method includes obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint, the rotational and translational data being indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively, the rotational and translational joint testing being implemented by a robotic testing apparatus applied to the joint. A quantity indicative of joint play of the joint is computed. The quantity is computed via a function of the rotational data and the translational data. The method includes determining whether the computed quantity exceeds a joint play threshold and, if the computed quantity exceeds the joint play threshold, comparing the rotational data and the translational data with preset rotational data and preset translational data for the rotational and translation joint testing, respectively.