Rotational cutting tools, known as reamers, are used in a variety of orthopaedic surgeries ranging from intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures to total joint arthroplasty. Clinical concerns with reaming include thermal necrosis of the bone tissue and pressure-generated emboli, both of which are related to the reaming mechanics.

We have developed an instrumented reamer system with a wirelessly powered load/torque/rpm sensor combined with a infrared motion tracking system that can be utilized by surgeons in an unconstrained fashion to provide direct mechanical performance data during real or simulated reaming procedures. This system is also currently being modified to incorporate an instrumented reaming guide wire for temperature and pressure measurements. 

Mark Ehrensberger, PhD

Greatbatch Medical and UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology

• Yerrabolu SR, Mollendorf JC, Baier RE, Ehrensberger MT. “Examination of Factors Influencing Intramedullary Reaming Into Femurs.” ASME International Design and Engineering Technical Conference. 2014.
• Puma KL and Ehrensberger MT. “Mechanical Comparison of Traditional & Minimally Invasive Acetabular Reamers for Total Hip Arthroplasty.” ASME International Design and Engineering Technical Conference. 2014.