Portable Surgical Orientation Device for Joint Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint replacement procedures, particularly knee joint replacement, face challenges in accurately positioning prosthetic components without relying on complex and costly navigation systems, often resorting to inaccurate methods like 'eyeballing' which lack precision.
Innovation Solution
A portable surgical orientation system utilizing sensors, such as three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes, to monitor orientation within a three-dimensional coordinate system, providing a user interface for displaying angle measurements and facilitating accurate alignment of prosthetic components relative to anatomical landmarks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple alignment methods like 'eyeballing' are used, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the alignment precision of prosthetic components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable surgical orientation device as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the bone anatomy. This device includes sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) that measure orientation relative to gravity and provide real-time feedback through a user interface, enabling precise alignment without requiring complex navigation systems or extensive surgeon training
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation systems with a portable electronic device using sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to detect orientation. This substitution reduces system complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision through electronic sensing and digital display of alignment angles
2Manufacturing precision
If complex computer navigation systems are used, then the alignment precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential orientation sensing function from complex computer navigation systems, isolating it into a standalone portable device. By removing unnecessary complexity (large computers, extensive imaging systems) and retaining only the critical sensor-based orientation measurement capability, the system achieves high precision with reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a portable, self-contained orientation device that can be used independently without requiring expensive infrastructure. The device uses off-the-shelf sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and provides functionality through a simple user interface, effectively replacing costly navigation systems with a more economical solution
3Manufacturing precision
If complex computer navigation systems are used, then the alignment precision improves, but the cost of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a portable orientation device built with commercially available sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) rather than proprietary expensive navigation system components. This approach significantly reduces the cost of the surgical procedure while maintaining alignment precision through accurate sensor-based measurement and digital feedback
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 precise alignment and positioning of prosthetic components, reducing the need for expensive navigation systems and improving surgical accuracy, thereby enhancing the reliability of joint replacement procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A portable surgical orientation system utilizing sensors, such as three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes, to monitor orientation within a three-dimensional coordinate system
Implementation Method 2
A portable surgical orientation system utilizing sensors, such as three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes, to monitor orientation within a three-dimensional coordinate system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).