Torque sensor with decision support and related systems and methods
A surgical system includes a power tool that generates torque; a torque sensor for measuring a torque characteristic of the power tool; a user interface; at least one processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: receive torque data from the torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic; evaluate the torque data; and execute a predetermined action based on the evaluation.
1. A surgical system comprising:
a power tool that generates torque;
a torque sensor for measuring a torque characteristic of the power tool;
a user interface;
at least one processor; and
a memory storing instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
receive torque data from the torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic;
evaluate the torque data; and
execute a predetermined action based on the evaluation, wherein the predetermined action comprises at least one of: (i) automatically adjusting a surgical plan to change a number of screws used in the surgical plan and (ii) providing a recommendation for approval by a surgeon that includes adjusting the surgical plan to change the number of screws used in the surgical plan.
2. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the measured torque characteristic is a peak torque, and the evaluation comprises comparing the peak torque to a predetermined threshold.
3. The surgical system of claim 2 , wherein when the peak torque exceeds the predetermined threshold, the predetermined action comprises stopping the power tool.
4. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the measured torque characteristic is an accumulated torque, and the evaluation comprises comparing the accumulated torque to a predetermined threshold.
5. The surgical system of claim 4 , wherein when the accumulated torque is less than the predetermined threshold, the predetermined action comprises causing a recommendation to be displayed via a user interface.
6. The surgical system of claim 5 , wherein the power tool is a screwdriver, and the recommendation comprises a recommendation to select a larger screw.
7. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the power tool is a screwdriver, the torque data corresponds to the measured torque characteristic during insertion with the screwdriver of a first screw, and the memory stores additional instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, further cause the at least one processor to:
receive second torque data from the torque sensor, the second torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic during insertion with the screwdriver of a second screw.
8. The surgical system of claim 7 , wherein the evaluating comprises evaluating the torque data and the second torque data.
9. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined action comprises stopping the power tool and requesting user input.
10. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical plan is adjusted to increase the number of screws used in the surgical plan based on the evaluation.
11. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical plan is adjusted to decrease the number of screws used in the surgical plan based on the evaluation.
12. A system, comprising:
a torque sensor for measuring a torque characteristic of a power tool;
a user interface;
at least one processor; and
a memory storing instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
receive torque data from the torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic;
evaluate the torque data;
automatically generate a recommendation for display by the user interface based on the evaluation of the torque data, wherein the recommendation comprises a description of a surgical plan adjustment; and
cause the user interface to display the description of the surgical plan adjustment.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to change a number of screws used in the surgical plan.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to utilize a different screw than was previously used as part of the surgical plan.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to re-drill a previously drilled hole.
16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to re-tap a previously tapped hole.
17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to remove at least a part of an anatomical feature.
18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the torque data comprises first torque data and second torque data indicating whether or not a first screw and second screw were seated according to the surgical plan.
19. A system, comprising:
at least one processor; and
a memory storing instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
receive torque data from a torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to a measured torque characteristic of a power tool;
evaluate the torque data;
automatically generate a recommendation based on the evaluation of the torque data, wherein the recommendation comprises a description of a surgical plan adjustment; and
cause a user interface to display the description of the surgical plan adjustment.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the description of the surgical plan adjustment provides an instruction to change a number of screws used in the surgical plan.