Device for measuring tibio-femoral force amplitudes and force locations in total knee arthroplasty
AssigneeSynthes GmbH
InventorsDenis Crottet, Ion Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
Claims16
A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring force amplitudes and force locations comprising:
- a first and second load sensitive plate, each for insertion into a joint-compartment of a knee joint and each having a top surface and a bottom surface,
- wherein each of the first and second load sensitive plates each include at least two load sensors, and
- wherein the first and second load sensitive plates have adjoining inner lateral side walls and are connected at the adjoining inner lateral side walls.
A method of using a probe during a total knee arthroplasty on a knee joint for measuring force amplitudes and force locations comprising the steps of:
- a. performing a tibial precut to obtain a flat reference surface and space for the probe, the probe comprising first and second load sensitive plates connected at adjoining lateral side walls and including at least two load sensors;
- b. inserting the probe into the knee joint;
- c. measuring in real time amplitude and location of compressive contact force as well as moments of each femoral condyle at various knee flexion angles;
- d. displaying the compressing contact forces and moments on a display;
- e. interpreting the compressing contact forces and moments based on a computational biomechanical model of the knee joint;
- f. correcting ligamentous balance according to the interpretation;
- g. repeating steps (c) through (f) until ligaments are balanced;
- and
- h. removing the probe and inserting prosthetic components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.