INTRAOPERATIVE SENSOR SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR JOINT ARTHROPLASTY
An intraoperative surgical system can be used for knee arthroplasty. The system may include a sensor support body defining a platform, a force sensor positioned on the platform, and a sensor cover positioned over the platform of the sensor support body thereby sandwiching the force sensor between the platform and the sensor cover. The sensor cover can be detachably coupled to the sensor support body. The platform, the force sensor, and the sensor cover can collectively define a joint insertion block configured to be inserted into a tibiofemoral joint for measuring a force between a tibia and a femur defining the tibiofemoral joint.
1 . A flexible force measurement circuit for use in an intraoperative surgical system to measure a load force between a tibia and a femur in a tibiofemoral joint during knee arthroplasty, the flexible force measurement circuit comprising:
a flex-circuit including conductive traces on a flexible substrate, the flex-circuit comprising at least one medial force sensor, at least one lateral force sensor, and a connector region extending lengthwise away from the at least one medial force sensor and the at least one lateral force sensor; and
an electrical connector positioned on an end of the connector region of the flex-circuit,
wherein the flex-circuit and/or the electrical connector defines an aperture extending through a thickness thereof through which a connector of a sensor cover is configured to be inserted.
2 . The circuit of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one medial force sensor comprises a medial anterior force sensor and a medial posterior force sensor; and
the at least one lateral force sensor comprises a lateral anterior force sensor and a lateral posterior force sensor.
3 . The circuit of claim 2 , wherein:
the medial anterior force sensor and the medial posterior force sensor are spaced from each other in an anterior-to-posterior direction with a medial aperture defined therebetween for receiving a medial connector therethrough; and
the lateral anterior force sensor and the lateral posterior force sensor are spaced from each other in the anterior-to-posterior direction with a lateral aperture defined therebetween for receiving a lateral connector therethrough.
4 . The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is positioned at an intersection of the flex-circuit and the electrical connector.
5 . The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the at least one medial force sensor and the at least one lateral force sensor each comprise a capacitive sensor.