Surgical Orientation System for Joint Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint replacement procedures, particularly knee joint replacements, face challenges in accurately positioning prosthetic components without relying on complex and costly navigation systems, often resorting to inaccurate methods like 'eyeballing' anatomical features.
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 precise alignment of prosthetic components relative to the mechanical axis of the leg, and a femoral jig assembly for secure attachment and cutting block orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex computer navigation systems are used to track spatial location and movement, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex computer navigation systems by using simple geometric relationships and basic trigonometry. The system calculates spatial location and orientation using only the positions of anatomical landmarks and standard surgical instruments, eliminating the need for expensive tracking equipment while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified mathematical model that copies the measurement capability of complex navigation systems. By using virtual representations of anatomical structures and standardizing the measurement approach through geometric principles, the system achieves comparable precision without requiring complex hardware infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If simple methods like eyeballing alignment are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations and determinations before the actual surgical procedure. By pre-calculating the mechanical axis orientation and preparing standardized measurement protocols, the system enables precise alignment without requiring complex real-time navigation equipment or sophisticated intraoperative judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective visual estimation with objective geometric measurement. By substituting the mechanical act of eyeballing alignment with mathematical calculations based on fixed anatomical landmarks and standardized instrument positions, the system achieves consistent precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If portable sensor-based orientation systems are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal measurement framework that can be applied with any standard surgical instrument or anatomical landmark. The geometric measurement approach is universally applicable across different surgical scenarios, allowing portable systems to achieve consistent precision by relying on invariant geometric relationships rather than specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from complex spatial tracking to basic geometric relationships. By focusing on angles, distances, and orientations between standard anatomical landmarks, the system achieves measurement precision that is independent of the complexity or portability of the measurement device, allowing simple portable systems to perform accurately.
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 positioning of prosthetic components, reducing the need for expensive navigation systems and improving surgical precision, thereby enhancing the reliability of joint replacement procedures.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first and second sensors have at least one of a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope
Implementation Method 2
each of the first and second sensors have at least one of a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope
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).