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Solving a design problem requires the analysis of several factors from a large number of possible solutions. Determining the most suitable solution arising from the conceptual stage is a time-consuming and costly process. The knowledge data base should provide the designer with the necessary information and knowledge during the different stages of the design process in order to develop better products. The designer should then be able to select and extract the required information from a predefined knowledge data base, enabling him to take decisions at the architectural stage and thus solve design problems. Exploring the knowledge data base enables him to make the appropriate technological choices (components and their organisation) and produce behaviour models to validate these choices. Additionally, the designer should be able to define the problem using three different complementary approaches: functional, structural and physical. In this way he can produce alternative solutions and architectures as well as the decision criteria for any product optimisation. Adopting the converter (C), transmitter (T), operator (O), reference logic, and standard components were selected and their organisation determined, then by analysing their interactions the product architecture was developed. Using this procedure reduces the number of solutions and at the same time produces the most satisfying solutions. In this paper we present a methodology to reduce the number of possible solutions during the architectural stage. The general approach proposed will be applied to a specific case of a development of a wind turbine system. Selecting relevant information from the knowledge base shortens the decision-making time. Five stages are evaluated: systematic interaction analysis, arrangement of components, identification of interactions, selection of interactions and configuration analysis. Using this procedure reduces the number of possible architectures related to the design problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fusion technology in spine surgery reduces surgical morbidity and degeneration of the adjacent levels by the insertion of dynamic spinal implants. Despite these advantages, a dynamic spinal implant (DSI) generates complications which require clinical follow-up, the continuous development of constructive solutions and structured optimization of the implant architecture using current mechanical design methods. This study structures this optimization process of a DSI concept by incorporating the mechanical behavior of the device, design variables and functional requirements into a global design model. The geometric (descriptive anatomy) and mechanical (materials, components, etc.) characteristics are obtained from a literature review. By combining these parameters, variables and requirements, appropriate values can be determined. The resulting mathematical model is then used to design and implement a device that is suitably adapted in movements and stiffness. The model assumes linear or non-linear behavior. We describe the optimization of the design variables to ensure the correct functioning of the mechanism when adapted to the patient. The optimization purpose is to determine the architecture of the implant, the choice of materials and the geometric parameters of implantation. An optimized implant model corresponding to specific degrees of degeneration in the intervertebral joint can then be envisaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging in recent years has increased the number of people needing orthoses to assist or rehabilitate a failing joint or limb. However, as these are a class 1 medical device, orthosis development is mainly based on companies’ empirical knowledge and this can often result in usage problems and consequently, in the most extreme cases, in the devices being abandoned. Additionally, since articular orthoses may enable a movement to be performed, this imposes additional development restrictions which should be considered during the conceptual design stage of product development. As there are limited design tools available for the conceptual design stage and existing design methods are not well adapted to the development of these demanding medical devices, the development of articular orthoses may lead to inaccurate and maladjusted concepts, ill-adapted to the user's needs, and consequently, a source of discomfort. The aim of the design method proposed here is to help the mechanical designer during the conceptual design stage by taking into account from the beginning of the development process the way articular orthoses are used in life situations and at significant moments. Additionally, based on the theory of mechanisms, concepts such as the number of components, degrees of freedom and degrees of hyperstatism can be considered. This provides an exhaustive list of possible concepts for the articular mechanism which are subsequently screened according to different criteria related to the specific limb anatomy and specific medical conditions of the user in order to optimize concept choice. On this basis, this study develops an exhaustive research method to reach a large number of possible articular mechanisms to perform the desired articular movement for a specific orthosis, also taking into account the specific human body part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The primary objective when designing an innovative medical device (MD) is to improve the patient''s condition and autonomy. Normally, therefore, there must be a strong focus on continuous interaction with the human element. Despite this interaction, value analysis (VA) tools are in fact used very little at the design stage. We describe the procedure we have devised and the characterization studies that result when applying VA to the design of a radically innovative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis. From needs analysis to general availability of the device, there are three main phases in developing an MD: design, clinical validation and production/marketing. In the design phase, functional and technical specifications are defined from which digital and/or physical prototypes are created. Our multidisciplinary team defined and prioritized service functions after first analyzing clinical need. Next it specified the performances of a healthy TMJ which had to be reproduced, and then devised the experimental methods to achieve this characterization. A finite element (FE) model of the jaw was created and validated. Using simulations, the FE model compared strains and displacements in the healthy and the implanted mandibles. We then considered the influence of the implant geometry, the connections between implant and bone tissue to guide our decisions when creating innovative technical solutions. A new patent is currently under analysis and registration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]