Smart surgical screwdriver
Inventors
Brown, Philip J. • Rich, Andrea Morgan • Van Gorkom, Aaron Ross
Assignees
Wake Forest University Health Sciences • Government of the United States of America
Publication Number
US-11871975-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-16
Expiration Date
2037-10-05
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are surgical tool systems and methods of using such to install a fixator in a biological tissue. The systems are capable of accurately measuring torque and rotational velocity and providing real time feedback to a user during surgery.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a surgical tool system configured to install a fixator in biological tissue, such as bone. This system includes a surgical tool, multiple sensors to obtain torque measurements, rotational acceleration measurements, and time measurements during installation, and a microcontroller that calculates torque and energy-rotation parameters based on these sensor inputs. The system generates optimal ranges for these parameters and provides real-time feedback to the user about whether the installation parameters are within or outside these optimal ranges.
The problem addressed by the invention arises from post-operative loosening of surgical screws, which occurs in a significant percentage of patients and may necessitate additional surgery. Existing techniques rely on peak screw insertion torque as an indicator of successful installation, but such correlation is weak. Hence, the invention aims to improve surgical outcomes by measuring multiple parameters including torque and energy during screw installation, with real-time feedback to ensure optimal fixator fixation and minimize loosening risk.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims encompass methods for fixator installation in biological tissue involving multi-sensor measurement, parameter calculation, feedback generation, and adjustment during the procedure. The main inventive features are summarized as follows.
Multi-sensor measurement and parameter calculation during fixator installation
The method involves receiving measurements from first, second, and third sensors to obtain values of one or more torque parameters and one or more energy-rotation parameters, including mean torque, mean rotational velocity, mean power, and total energy, and calculating a Property I value that is a sum of weighted values of these parameters.
Real-time feedback and adjustment based on optimal parameter ranges
The method generates signals reflecting whether the Property I values fall outside one or more optimal ranges and adjusts the operation of the surgical tool to maintain parameters within optimal ranges, repeating this process until installation is complete.
Sensor measurement frequency and sensor types
The surgical tool system's sensors are configured to obtain measurements at frequencies of at least 5, 20, 40, or 60 Hz, and the second sensor comprises an accelerometer or gyroscope.
Customization of optimal parameter ranges based on patient factors
Optimal ranges of Property I are generated at least in part based on patient factors including age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, race, and bone mineral density.
Types of feedback signals to the user
Feedback signals reflecting parameter status can be visual or tactile.
Applicable fixator types and data transmission
The fixator can be a pedicle screw or cortical screw, and the system may include a wireless transmitter module for data transmission and storage.
The claims collectively cover a comprehensive method of fixator installation using a sensor-equipped surgical tool system that measures multiple parameters, calculates a composite Property I, provides real-time feedback, and allows adjustment to maintain optimal fixation conditions, considering patient-specific factors and facilitating data transmission.
Stated Advantages
Provides real-time feedback to clinicians during surgery to ensure optimal screw fixation and reduce screw loosening.
Accurately measures torque and rotational velocity simultaneously during fixator installation.
Enables adjustment during surgery to maintain parameters within optimal ranges, improving surgical outcomes.
Incorporates patient-specific factors such as age, gender, BMI, and bone mineral density in determining optimal installation parameters.
Facilitates wireless data transmission and storage for further analysis and performance tracking.
Documented Applications
Installing fixators such as pedicle screws or cortical screws into biological tissues including bone for surgical correction of tissue damage or deformity.
Use in spinal regions including lumbar, thoracic, or cervical for fixation procedures.
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