Ultrasonic Joint Alignment Sensor for Orthopedic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic joint replacement surgeries lack precision in adapting to individual patient variations, leading to inconsistent outcomes and requiring skilled surgeons to manually adjust artificial joints during procedures, with limited post-operative data for improving joint design and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic measurement system employing a propagation tuned oscillator (PTO) and zero-crossing or edge-detect receivers to accurately measure forces and pressures in real-time, using sensors placed between bones to ensure proper alignment and loading of artificial joints, providing quantitative data for surgeons and manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standardized orthopedic joint replacement procedures are used to meet general population needs, then the procedure can be broadly applied, but individual patient variations cannot be adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors that measure physical parameters (force, pressure, load) in real-time during surgery, allowing the procedure to adapt to individual patient variations by detecting actual physiological conditions rather than relying on standardized procedures alone
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of artificial joints is performed during surgery, then individual patient needs can be addressed, but the process becomes time-consuming and skill-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through sensors that continuously monitor force, pressure, and load during joint replacement surgery, providing immediate data to guide surgical adjustments and eliminate time-consuming trial-and-error manual adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated sensor-based measurement and data-driven decision-making, substituting surgeon skill and experience with objective real-time measurements
3Reliability
If limited post-operative data collection is used, then the procedure remains simple, but joint design improvements and longevity cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where sensors collect real-time data during surgery and post-operatively, feeding this information back to both surgeons for immediate decision-making and manufacturers for long-term design improvements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that serves multiple purposes: guiding surgical procedure in real-time, providing post-operative monitoring data, and enabling long-term joint design improvements through accumulated measurements
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
Enhances the precision and consistency of orthopedic joint replacements by providing real-time data for optimal joint alignment and loading, reducing revisions and improving the longevity of implants through accurate measurement of physical parameters like force, pressure, and wear.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, and a phase detector The ultrasonic measurement system employs a continuous mode (CM) of operation to evaluate propagation characteristics of continuous ultrasonic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a capacitor, a signal generator, a digital counter, counter register, a digital clock, a digital timer, and a data register. The sensor of the measurement system is the capacitor. The measurement system generates a repeating signal having a measurement cycle that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises more than one capacitor mechanically in series. Electrically, the capacitor comprises more than one capacitor in parallel. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a dielectric layer comprising polyimide. A force, pressure, or load is applied to the capacitor that elastically compresses the device.