Specimen containment module for orthopedic simulator

• US 20070172394A1
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Schulz, Bradley, Fahrendorff, Harold
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/468 Testing instruments for artificial joints for testing non-implantable prostheses A61F2/76
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/185 using a liquid as fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0089 Biorheological properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0222 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/22 by applying steady torsional forces G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence

Abstract

An orthopedic simulator, such as a spinal implant wear test machine, is provided with a specimen containment module that may be removed from the machine as a unit. The releasable attachability of the specimen containment module permits remote specimen installation and reduces environmental contamination.

Claims

1. A specimen containment module, comprising:

a specimen chamber for receiving a specimen; and

a module interface that holds the specimen chamber and is configured for releasably attaching the module to a test machine while holding the specimen chamber.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the module interface includes a base that holds the specimen chamber.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the base has at least one recess adapted for receiving a releasable fastener that interacts with the test machine to releasably attach the base to the test machine.

4. The module of claim 3, wherein the module interface includes an upper connector having at least one recess for receiving a releasable fastener that interacts with the test machine to releasably attach the upper connector to the test machine.

5. The module of claim 4, further comprising an upper specimen adapter coupled to the upper connector and which is configured to secure an upper portion of a specimen, and a lower specimen adapter coupled to the base and which is configured to secure a lower portion of a specimen.

6. The module of claim 4, wherein at least one of the upper connector and the base has a slot configured to register with a pin during attaching of the module to the test machine.

7. The module of claim 2, further comprising a test fluid temperature control element.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein the test fluid temperature control element includes a fluid circulation tube through which a temperature control fluid is circulated.

9. The module of claim 2, wherein the specimen chamber and the base are configured to hold test fluid.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein the specimen chamber and the base retain the test fluid in a non-circulating manner.

11. The module of claim 9, further comprising an inlet and an outlet to the base and the specimen chamber through which the test fluid is circulated into and out of the specimen chamber and the base.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein the test machine is an orthopedic device test machine.

13. The module of claim 12, wherein the test machine is a spinal implant wear test machine.

14. An orthopedic device test machine, comprising:

at least one force applicator configured to apply force to an orthopedic device test specimen; and

a specimen containment module configured to secure the test specimen and is releasably attachable to the test machine with the secured test specimen.

15. The test machine of claim 14, wherein the specimen containment module includes a specimen chamber configured to contain the test specimen and hold test fluid.

16. The test machine of claim 15, wherein the specimen containment module includes a module interface that holds the specimen chamber and releasably attaches the specimen containment module to the test machine.

17. The test machine of claim 16, wherein the module interface includes a base that holds the specimen chamber and an upper connector, at least one of the base and the upper chamber being releasably attachable to the test machine by at least one releasable fastener.

18. The test machine of claim 17, wherein the specimen containment module includes an upper specimen adapter coupled to the upper connector and a lower specimen adapter coupled to the base, the upper and lower specimen adapters being configured to secure the test specimen there between and via which the at least one force applicator applies force to the test specimen.

19. The test machine of claim 18, wherein the upper connector and the base each have at least one recess configured for receiving respective releasable fasteners that interact with the test machine to releasably attach the specimen containment module to the test machine.

20. The test machine of claim 18, wherein the specimen chamber and the base form a fluid container for holding a fluid.

21. The test machine of claim 20, wherein the fluid container retains the fluid in a non-circulating manner.

22. The test machine of claim 20, further comprising an inlet and an outlet to the base and the specimen chamber through which the fluid is circulated into and out of the specimen chamber and the base.

23. The test machine of claim 21, wherein the specimen containment module further includes a temperature control element that controls the temperature of the fluid in the fluid container.

24. The test machine of claim 23, wherein the temperature control element includes a fluid circulation tube through which a temperature control fluid is circulated.

25. The test machine of claim 24, wherein the test machine is a spinal implant wear test machine and the upper and lower adapters are configured to secure a spinal implant as the test specimen.

26. The test machine of claim 14, wherein the test machine is a spinal implant wear test machine and the test specimen is a spinal implant.

27. A method of testing an orthopedic device, comprising the steps of:

securing the orthopedic device in modular unit remotely from a test machine; and

releasably attaching the modular unit containing the secured orthopedic device into the test machine.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the modular unit includes an adapter configured to hold the orthopedic device in a position for testing, the step of securing including securing the orthopedic device to the adapter.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising immersing the orthopedic device in a test fluid with the modular unit.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising sealing the modular unit remotely from the test machine prior to releasably attaching the modular unit to the test machine.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of releasably attaching includes registering the modular unit within the test machine and fastening the modular unit to the test machine with releasable fasteners.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the releasable fasteners are screws.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising coupling the modular unit to a temperature control unit to circulate temperature control fluid within the modular unit during testing.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising applying forces to the orthopedic device through the adapter after the modular unit is releasably attached to the test machine.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the orthopedic device is a spinal implant and the test machine is a spinal implant wear test machine.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the orthopedic device is a spinal implant and the test machine is a spinal implant wear test machine.