Device and method for determining forces of a patient's joint

1. An orthopaedic surgical device comprising:

a sensor housing shaped to be positioned in a joint of the patient, the sensor housing including an upper housing piece having a concavely-curved upper surface;

a sensor array positioned in the sensor housing, the sensor array including a plurality of pressure sensors configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a joint force of the patient's joint;

a rigid handle secured to the sensor housing and including a top handle housing and a bottom handle housing, the top handle housing having an interior surface that faces a corresponding interior surface of the bottom handle housing;

a first display secured to an end of the handle housing;

a second display secured to an end of the bottom handle housing; and

a circuit positioned in the handle, the circuit configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor array and to control the first and second displays to provide a visual indication of the joint force of the patient's joint.

2. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing is hemispherical.

3. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor housing is shaped to be positioned in a hip joint of the patient.

4. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor housing is shaped to be positioned in a shoulder joint of the patient.

5. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing includes a convexly-curved lower housing piece, an outer rim of the concavely-curved upper housing piece being spaced apart from a corresponding outer rim of the convexly-curved lower housing when no force is applied to the sensor housing.

6. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressure sensors are capacitive pressure sensors.

7. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and

the circuit is configured to control the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide a visual indication of the joint force.

8. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the circuit comprises a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of the joint force.

9. An orthopaedic surgical device comprising:

a sensor housing shaped to be positioned in a joint of the patient,

a sensor array positioned in the sensor housing, the sensor array including a plurality of pressure sensors configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a joint force of the patient's joint;

a handle separate from the sensor housing and coupled to the sensor housing via a plurality of wires, the handle including a top handle housing and a bottom handle housing, the top handle housing having an interior surface that faces a corresponding interior surface of the bottom handle housing;

a first display secured to an end of the top handle housing;

a second display secured to an end of the bottom handle housing; and

a circuit positioned in the handle, the circuit configured to receive the sensor signals from the sensor array and to control the first and second displays to provide a visual indication of the joint force of the patient's joint.

10. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 9 , wherein the sensor housing includes a hemispherical outer surface.

11. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 9 , wherein the sensor housing is substantially planar and sized to be placed between a first and second vertebra of the patient's spine, the sensor housing including a notch shaped to receive a portion of the patient's spinal cord.

12. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 9 , wherein the sensor housing is substantially planar and sized to be placed between a patella and femur of the patient, the sensor housing having a substantially oval shape.

13. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 9 , wherein:

the first display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and

the circuit is configured to control the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide a visual indication of the joint force.

14. An orthopaedic surgical device comprising:

a sensor housing shaped to be positioned in a joint of the patient;

a plurality of pressure sensors positioned in the sensor housing and configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a joint force of the joint of the patient;

a handle coupled to the sensor housing, the handle including a top handle housing and a bottom handle housing, the top handle housing having an interior surface that faces a corresponding interior surface of the bottom handle housing;

a first display coupled to an end of the top handle housing, the first display consisting of a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in a row;

a second display coupled to an end of the bottom handle housing, the second display consisting of a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in a row;

a processor electrically coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors and the first and second displays; and

a hardware memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, is configured to cause the processor to control the first and second displays to provide a visual indication of the joint force of the joint of the patient.

15. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor housing is hemispherical.

16. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor housing is substantially planar and sized to be placed between a first and second vertebra of the patient's spine, the sensor housing including a notch shaped to receive a portion of the patient's spinal cord.

17. The orthopaedic surgical device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor housing is substantially planar and sized to be placed between a patella and femur of the patient, the sensor housing having a substantially oval shape.