Slidable-Pin Smartphone Attachment for Bone Surface Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for implant positioning in orthopedic surgeries, such as 3D printed patient-specific instrumentation and robotic surgery, are expensive and require significant expertise, leading to implant malalignment issues and high revision rates, especially in total knee replacements.
Innovation Solution
An attachment for a smartphone that includes a housing with slidable pins to scan bone surfaces accurately, using the phone's camera and sensors to map and navigate the surface, providing a cost-effective and efficient alternative for precise implant positioning without the need for additional training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If 3D printed patient-specific instrumentation or robotic surgery is used for implant positioning, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems (3D printed PSI, robotic arms) with a simplified optical-mechanical system using a smartphone camera to track pin positions. The mechanical complexity is reduced by using simple sliding pins within a housing rather than complex 3D printed guides or robotic mechanisms, while maintaining positioning precision through optical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex positioning function by using a smartphone camera to capture and track the positions of pins, rather than requiring complex 3D printed instrumentation or robotic systems. The digital model is captured through simple pin position tracking rather than complex pre-surgical planning and 3D printing processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If 3D printed patient-specific instrumentation is used, then implant positioning precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and accessibility worsen due to need for specialized expertise and facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable attachment with pins that can be sterilized and used once, eliminating the need for expensive, complex 3D printed instruments that require specialized manufacturing facilities and expertise. The simple structure of the attachment allows it to be manufactured affordably and used in any surgical setting with basic sterilization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment design uses universal components (smartphone camera, simple pin mechanism, sterilizable housing) that can be manufactured and used across different surgical settings without requiring specialized facilities or expertise, making the technology accessible to a broader range of hospitals and surgical teams.
3Device complexity
If traditional surgical methods with subjective assessment are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability of implant positioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual assessment with objective optical detection using a smartphone camera to track pin positions. The camera captures precise coordinates of the pins, providing quantitative data for positioning accuracy rather than relying on the surgeon's subjective judgment, thereby improving precision while maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by capturing pin positions with the camera and processing the data to determine the operating point's coordinates. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to verify positioning accuracy objectively, improving reliability compared to subjective assessment while keeping the system relatively simple.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex pre-surgical planning and 3D modeling are required, then implant positioning precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen due to extended preparation and manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing the 3D surface model and pin position data directly in the operating room during surgery, rather than requiring extensive pre-surgical CT/MRI scanning, 3D modeling, and instrument manufacturing. The necessary data is collected on-site, eliminating time-consuming pre-surgical preparation while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the bone surface and pin positions directly during surgery using the smartphone camera, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-surgical 3D modeling and 3D printing processes. The digital model is captured and processed immediately, reducing preparation time while maintaining the precision needed for accurate implant positioning.
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
Enables accurate and efficient mapping and navigation of bone surfaces, reducing implant malalignment and revision rates by allowing surgeons to quickly and accurately find desired operating points, while being more affordable than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first housing portion configured to releasably secure a device comprising a camera... When the device is secured to the first housing portion, the proximal ends of the plurality of pins are viewable by the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment for use with a device to scan a surface, for example a bony surface, the attachment comprising: a first housing portion configured to releasably secure a device comprising a camera, a second housing portion connected to the first housing portion and having a wall defining an internal region of the second housing portion and an external region of the second housing portion, and a plurality of pins slidably secured to the wall, each of the plurality of pins having a proximal end disposed in the internal region and a distal end disposed in the external region. Upon abutment of the distal end of each of the pins against a surface, the proximal end of each of the pins is configured to translate relative to the wall. When the device is secured to the first housing portion, the proximal ends of the plurality of pins are viewable by the camera.