Integrated central manifold for orthopedic simulator

Abstract

An orthopedic simulator is provided with an integral central manifold that provides internal routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid, compressed air, or electrical power to the actuators of the orthopedic simulator. The integral manifold is structurally coupled to support elements and resist and transfer bending and shear forces to the support elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of an orthopedic simulator in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, with an external housing removed for illustrative purposes, and with forces being schematically depicted.

FIG. 2 a is a top view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1; FIG. 2b is a front view; FIG. 2c is a bottom view and FIG. 2d is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the removability of a specimen containment module.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an assembled specimen containment module.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the specimen containment module of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side, partially cross-sectional view of the specimen containment module of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a base of the specimen containment module of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a circulation loop for circulating a temperature control fluid in a temperature control circuit.

FIG. 9 depicts two test stations, with one test station having a specimen containment module releasably attached thereto.

FIG. 10 schematically depicts an exemplary arrangement for circulating bath fluid.

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a specimen containment module in an installed position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, with an indication of the flexion and extension motion.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a flexion/extension motion linkage in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, with an indication of the lateral bending motion around an axis of rotation.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, with an indication of anterior/posterior and lateral translation motions.

FIG. 17 depicts a portion of an x-y slide assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the x-y slide assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the x-y slide assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, with an indication of loading in a vertical direction.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an actuator in isolation.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the actuator of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the actuator of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, with an indication of the axial rotation linkage and a moment provided at a test specimen.

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the orthopedic simulator of FIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of a central manifold in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 27-29 schematically depict different approaches to linkages.

FIG. 30 schematically depicts a nesting order of forces in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 31 shows the required forces for application to a test specimen intended for a lumbar region according to an exemplary set of curves.

FIG. 32 shows the same information as FIG. 31, but for cervical data.

FIG. 33 shows curves for non-sinusoidal input data in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 34 depicts the orthopedic simulator within a housing.

FIG. 35 is a rear schematic view of the orthopedic simulator and the central manifold in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 36 is a schematic internal view of an exemplary embodiment of the central manifold.

FIG. 37 is a schematic of an exemplary hydraulic circuit of the orthopedic simulator.

Claims

1. An integral central manifold arrangement for an orthopedic simulator, comprising: a substantially solid block of material forming a manifold housing;a fluid tube formed within the manifold housing; andfluid inlets and outlets configured to fluidically couple the fluid tube to the orthopedic simulator.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fluid tube is a tube formed within the substantially solid block.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein a first plurality of the outlets are configured for connection to respectively operate a plurality of first actuators of the orthopedic simulator.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein fluid pressure is substantially the same at each of the first outlets.

5. The arrangement of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of fluid tubes formed within the substantially solid block.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein a first one of the plurality of fluid tubes is a switched pressure tube that provides switched fluid pressure within the manifold housing.

7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein a second one of the plurality of fluid tubes is coupled to the switched pressure tube to provide first operating pressure through a first set of the first outlets to the plurality of first actuators.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein a third one of the plurality of fluid tubes is coupled to the switched pressure tube to provide second operating pressure through a second set of the first outlets to the plurality of first actuators.

9. An orthopedic simulator comprising: a plurality of test stations;a plurality of actuators coupled to the test stations;support elements that support the test stations; andan integral manifold that is structurally coupled to the support elements and is fluidically coupled to the plurality of actuators.

10. The simulator of claims 9, wherein the integral manifold has a first fluid tube formed within the integral manifold, and a plurality of first fluid inlets and outlets coupled to the plurality of actuators.

11. The simulator of claim 10, wherein the integral manifold is a substantially solid block of material forming a manifold housing.

12. The simulator of claim 11, wherein fluid pressure is substantially the same at each of the first fluid outlets that are coupled to the actuators.

13. The simulator of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of fluid tubes in the integral manifold, wherein the first fluid tube is a switched pressure tube that provides switched fluid pressure within the manifold housing.

14. The simulator of claim 13, wherein a second one of the plurality of fluid tubes is coupled to the switched pressure tube to provide first operating pressure through a first set of the first fluid outlets to the plurality of actuators.

15. The simulator of claim 14, wherein a third one of the plurality of fluid tubes is coupled to the switched pressure tube to provide second operating pressure through a second set of the first outlets to the plurality of actuators.

16. The simulator of claim 15, wherein a fourth one of the plurality of fluid tubes is a return collector tube.

17. An orthopedic simulator comprising: a plurality of test stations;a plurality of actuators coupled to the test stations;support elements that support the test stations; andan integral manifold that is structurally coupled to the support elements and contains operating power transmission carriers that are coupled to the plurality of actuators.

18. The simulator of claim 17, wherein the actuators are hydraulically powered actuators and the operating power transmission carriers include hydraulic fluid tubing.

19. The simulator of claim 17, wherein the actuators are pneumatically powered actuators and the operating power transmission carriers include pneumatic tubing.

20. The simulator of claim 17, wherein the actuators are electrically powered actuators and the operating power transmission carriers include electrical wiring.