A wireless intraoperative joint force sensing system for total hip arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sensing Technology

Background:

• Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure to address hip joint issues.
• Accurate intraoperative force measurement is crucial for successful THA outcomes.
• Current methods lack real-time force feedback during surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a wireless sensor-instrumented femoral head for intraoperative force measurement in THA.
• To assess the accuracy and practical application of the device in cadaveric THA models.
• To provide surgeons with real-time data for improved implant positioning and complication reduction.

Main Methods:

• A 32 mm diameter femoral head was designed with integrated Hall effect sensors, microprocessor, Bluetooth module, and batteries.
• Components were hermetically encapsulated within the femoral head.
• Bench-top calibration and cadaveric testing were performed to validate force measurement accuracy and assess dislocation-prone positions.

Main Results:

• The sensor-instrumented femoral head demonstrated a mean measurement error of approximately 8% for forces up to 800 N.
• Cadaveric testing successfully measured hip forces during passive range of motion.
• The system provided insights into dislocation-prone positions, highlighting potential risks.

Conclusions:

• The wireless sensor-instrumented femoral head is a viable tool for quantifying intraoperative hip forces during THA.
• This technology can assist surgeons in making informed decisions regarding implant placement and component selection.
• Ultimately, it has the potential to minimize postoperative complications such as dislocation.