Optimising Knee Replacement Surgery: Development and Assessment of a Parallel Kinematic Machine for Precise Positioning in Knee Arthroplasty

This study delves into the development of a custom Parallel Kinematic Machine (PKM) tailored for Knee Arthroplasty Surgery (KAS) to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes. Knee replacement surgery often leads to long-term pain due to suboptimal knee positioning during the procedure, posing a significant challenge. Previous research has hinted at the potential efficacy of PKMs, known for their versatility, stability, and precision, in facilitating superior knee positioning. The paper investigates the design intricacies of a PKM specifically for knee replacement surgery, spanning conceptualisation, prototyping, and rigorous testing stages. The primary objective is to engineer a PKM capable of positioning knees with unparalleled accuracy, addressing the critical need for precision in surgical interventions. By evaluating the PKM's performance within the context of knee arthroplasty surgery, this study aims to optimise knee positioning and potentially improve surgical outcomes for a broad patient spectrum. The performance of the model was verified through a simple simulation example, demonstrating its ability to track key structures’ states and indicating the potential for precise positioning with suitable control algorithms. The next step involves designing control strategies based on this simulation model to meet specific control objectives.