Range of motion evaluation in orthopedic surgery

Abstract

A system and method may be used to evaluate soft tissue. A hip joint evaluation may use an adjustable spacer, such as varying sized physical spacers or an inflatable bladder, along with a sensor to measure force, pressure, gap distance, or the like, for example during a range of motion test. A method may include using a maximum pressure during the range of motion test to determine a maximum pressure during the range of motion test. The maximum pressure may be output for display on a user interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical device for evaluating soft tissue during a surgical procedure comprising:
 a pump to:
 inflate an adjustable spacer in a neck portion of a femoral trial for a hip replacement procedure; and 
 during a range of motion test, maintain a fixed distance in the adjustable spacer by increasing or decreasing pressure in the adjustable spacer; and 
   a processor to:
 determine a maximum pressure during the range of motion test; and 
 output the maximum pressure for display on a user interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is further to decrease the fixed distance during a repeated range of motion test. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is to use a preoperative plan to determine the fixed distance. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical device of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is further to adjust the preoperative plan based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further to determine an implant based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the maximum pressure, the processor is to use optical tracking of the neck portion of the femoral trial. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical device is a robotic surgical device, wherein the processor operates a robotic controller, wherein the pump is controlled by the processor, and wherein the robotic surgical device includes a display, the display configured to present the user interface including the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 inserting a trial for a hip replacement procedure, the trial including an adjustable spacer in a neck portion;   inflating the adjustable spacer to a fixed distance;   using a pressure sensor device, measuring pressure on the adjustable spacer throughout a range of motion test with the trial in place and the adjustable spacer inflated at the fixed distance;   determining a maximum pressure during the range of motion test; and   outputting the maximum pressure for display on a user interface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising decreasing the fixed distance and performing the range of motion test again. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising using a preoperative plan to determine the fixed distance. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adjusting the preoperative plan based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining an implant based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining the maximum pressure using an iAssist device. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions for controlling an adjustable spacer of a trial inserted into a femur of a patient for a hip replacement procedure, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 cause the adjustable spacer to inflate to a fixed distance;   receive pressure measurements from a pressure sensor device, the pressure measurements taken by the pressure sensor device on the adjustable spacer throughout a range of motion test with the trial in place and the adjustable spacer inflated at the fixed distance;   determine a maximum pressure during the range of motion test; and   output the maximum pressure for display on a user interface.   
     
     
         15 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to cause the fixed distance of the adjustable spacer to decrease, during a repeat of the range of motion test. 
     
     
         16 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further to use a preoperative plan to determine the fixed distance. 
     
     
         17 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further to adjust the preoperative plan based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further to determine an implant based on the maximum pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is to receive the pressure measurements from an iAssist device.