Surgical Implant Alignment Sensor with Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting prosthetic joints, such as acetabular cups, are tedious, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies due to manual orientation and alignment with impactor tools, which can be disrupted by human error and obscured by blood or tissue, making it difficult to confirm proper seating within the bone.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus with an orientation sensor and tactile feedback device that automatically detects and aligns the impactor tool to a predetermined orientation, providing feedback signals to ensure accurate placement and seating of the prosthetic implant, including an impact sensor for confirming full insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual orientation measurement with goniometer is used, then the surgeon can measure the impactor tool orientation, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement devices (goniometers) with an automated sensor-based system. Orientation sensors mounted on the impactor tool automatically detect angular position, eliminating the need for manual goniometer measurements and reducing both time and human error in orientation measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback through orientation sensors that continuously monitor the impactor tool's angular position and provide this information to the surgeon via visual or tactile displays. This allows the surgeon to verify orientation accuracy without repeated manual measurements, addressing both the precision and time loss contradictions.
2Measurement precision
If visual cues are used to confirm implant seating, then the surgeon can see the implant position, but blood or tissue obscures the view leading to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, or other detection devices) that detect implant seating through non-visual physical cues such as vibration, force changes, or acoustic signals. These sensors act as intermediaries between the implant and the surgeon, providing seating confirmation without relying on visual cues that can be obscured by blood or tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes visual inspection with mechanical or physical sensing systems. Sensors detect implant seating through contactless or contact-based physical measurements (vibration, force, acoustic emissions), replacing the visual inspection method that is compromised by biological fluids and tissue interference.
3Reliability
If the impactor tool is removed from the cup after implantation, then the cup remains in the desired location, but the surgeon loses the ability to directly observe and adjust the implant position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the impactor system into two functional parts: the impactor tool for driving the implant and the sensor system for monitoring. The sensor system remains coupled to the implant or impactor tool after implantation, allowing the surgeon to observe implant position and orientation without the impactor tool being removed, thus maintaining both stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor implant position and orientation in real-time after implantation. This allows the surgeon to verify and adjust the implant position while the impactor tool remains in place, eliminating the need to remove the tool for observation and maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
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
The apparatus significantly improves the accuracy and convenience of prosthetic implantation by providing real-time orientation and insertion feedback, reducing human error and the reliance on visual cues, ensuring proper alignment and seating of the prosthetic joint.
Implementation Method 1
an orientation sensor that detects an actual orientation of the impactor tool
Implementation Method 2
an impact sensor that detects an actual impact effect of impacting the impactor tool. The actual impact effect of impacting the impactor tool includes an actual impact force, an actual displacement of the impactor tool, and/or an actual acoustic effect of impacting the impactor tool
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical apparatus includes an orientation sensor that detects an actual orientation of a surgical tool. The apparatus also includes a tactile orientation feedback device that selectively provides a tactile orientation feedback signal. Moreover, the apparatus includes a controller that causes the tactile orientation feedback device to provide the tactile orientation feedback signal when the actual orientation of the surgical tool detected by the orientation sensor is substantially equal to a predetermined target orientation of the surgical tool.