Orthopedic simulator with a multi-axis slide table assembly

Abstract

An orthopedic simulator is provided with a slide table assembly that is configurable to be selectively operable in a plurality of operational modes. The modes may include a free-floating mode, a positive axis lock mode, and a shear plane loading mode.

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. 8 a is a schematic depiction of a temperature control arrangement for circulating temperature control fluid in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

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.

Claims

1. An orthopedic simulator comprising: a test stations configured to hold a test specimen; anda multi-axis slide table on which the test station is mounted for multi-axis movement, the multi-axis slide table including: a base;a lower translation plate mounted to the base by a first linear slide and rail arrangement for movement along a first axis; andan upper translation plate mounted to the lower translation plate by a second linear slide and rail arrangement for movement along a second axis.

2. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the multi-axis slide table is selectively configurable to operate in one of a plurality of selectable operational modes.

3. The simulator of claim 2, wherein one of the operational modes is a free-floating mode.

4. The simulator of claim 2, wherein one of the operational modes is a positive axis lock within a dynamic range mode.

5. The simulator of claim 2, wherein one of the operational modes is a shear plane loading mode.

6. The simulator of claim 5, wherein the shear plane loading mode includes simultaneous shear plane loading of a test specimen along the first and second axes.

7. The simulator of claim 6, further comprising spaces between the upper and lower translation plates and between at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and the base, the spaces configured to receive springs that produce static shear force on at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and provide shear plane loading on the test specimen.

8. The simulator of claim 7, wherein the static shear force is simultaneously produceable along each of the first and second axes.

9. The simulator of claim 2, wherein one of the operational modes is a shear force control mode.

10. The simulator of claim 9, further comprising spaces between the upper and lower translation plates and between at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and the base, the spaces configured to receive actuators that produce at least one of static or dynamic shear force on at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and provide shear plane force control on the test specimen.

11. The simulator of claim 10, wherein the actuators include at least one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator or a servo-hydraulic actuator.

12. The simulator of claim 2, wherein one of the operational modes is a shear displacement control mode.

13. The simulator of claim 12, further comprising spaces between the upper and lower translation plates and between at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and the base, the spaces configured to receive actuators that produce at least one of static or dynamic shear force on at least one of the upper and lower translation plates and provide shear displacement control on the test specimen.

14. The simulator of claim 13, wherein the actuators include at least one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator or a servo-hydraulic actuator.

15. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the first and second linear slide and rail arrangements include double row/side roller bearings.

16. The simulator of claim 4, wherein the base includes at least one lock screw post configured to receive a lock screw that provides the positive axis lock of at least one of the lower and upper translation plates.

17. The simulator of claim 1, further comprising a soft tissue simulating arrangement coupled to the upper and lower translation plates.

18. The simulator of claim 17, wherein the soft tissue simulating arrangement comprises spaces between the upper and lower translation plates and springs positioned within the spaces to provide biasing forces on the upper and lower translation plates.

19. A slide table assembly comprising: a base;a first linear slide and rail arrangement coupled to the base;a first translation plate coupled to the base via the first linear slide and rail arrangement for movement relative to the base along a first axis; a second linear slide and rail arrangement coupled to the first translation plate; anda second translation plate coupled to the first translation plate via the second linear slide and rail arrangement for movement relative to the first translation plate along a second axis, different than the first axis.

20. The slide table assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second linear slide and rail arrangements include double row/side roller bearings.

21. The slide table assembly of claim 20, wherein the slide table assembly is selectively configurable to operate in one of a plurality of selectable operational modes.

22. The slide table assembly of claim 21, wherein the selectable operational modes include at least one of: a free-floating mode; a positive axis lock mode; a shear plane loading mode, a shear force control and a shear displacement control.

23. The slide table assembly of claim 22, further comprising at least one lock screw post on the base configured to receive a lock screw to provide a positive axis lock of at least one of the first and second transition plates.

24. The slide table assembly of claim 23, further comprising spaces between the first and second translation plates and between the base and at least one of the first and second translation plates, the spaces configured to receive springs that produce static shear force on the first and second translation plates.

25. The slide table assembly of claim 22, further comprising spaces between the first and second translation plates and between the base and at least one of the first and second translation plates, the spaces configured to receive springs that produce static shear force on the first and second translation plates.

26. The slide table assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second translation plates are configured to receive springs that provide a biasing force on the first and second translation plates to produce static shear forces on the first and second translation plates.

27. The slide table assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second translation plates are configured to receive actuators that provide dynamic force on the first and second translation plates to produce at least one of shear force control and shear displacement control forces on the first and second translation plates.

28. The slide table assembly of claim 27, wherein the actuators include at least one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator or a servo-hydraulic actuator.