Team 5

Abhineet Badyal, Tyler Fears, Brian Nelson, Amrik Singh

Sponsored by:

Roman M. Natoli, MD, PhD - IU Health Methodist & IU School of Medicine

S.A.M.W.I.S.E. G.A.M.G.E.E. - An Orthopedic Washer Retrieval System

In coordination with the project sponsor, Roman Natoli, MD, PhD, the S.A.M.W.I.S.E. G.A.M.G.E.E. system was developed to assist in sacroiliac (SI) joint fixation hardware removal. SI joint fixation hardware is a screw and washer system that aids in healing posterior pelvic ring factures and is often a permanent solution for patients facing injury. However, when removal of this hardware is deemed necessary by an orthopedic doctor, many surgeons are faced with a washer that resists explanation. The S.A.M.W.I.S.E. G.A.M.G.E.E. surgical system keeps patients and surgeons in mind to address this pain point.

Background


Posterior pelvic ring injuries occur in high energy impacts and are common in the cohorts of 15-30 & 50-70 years of age. 10% of these fractures require implantation of fixation hardware to stabilize and heal the patient. Percutaneous placement of a screw and a washer across the SI joint is the most common method for posterior pelvic ring stabilization. It is quick, easy, and non-invasive.

There is a 6 month recovery process associated with SI joint fracture fixation surgery. Studies show that 5-18% of SI patients require revision surgery inside or outside of this time frame due to:

  • Low incidence of infection

  • Persistent pain experienced by the patient

  • Implant failure, or

  • Patient request for complete metal removal before end-of-life.

It is not uncommon that extraction of the SI hardware fails in removing the washer from the patient’s gluteal anatomy. This poses no harm to the patient but can present a burden to the surgeon who tries to retrieve it and extra invasiveness to those that demand it out. The exact cause for washer retention is not well understood however possible indentation into the soft periosteum of the ilium, anatomical constraints such as gluteal musculature, and reactive tissue that grows around the implant have all been identified as possible reasons for retention. Often, the patient will stay in this state, however the desired outcome for patients and surgeons alike is complete hardware removal.


5 Ideals Guided our Design

  • The system is to be minimally invasive to optimize patient healing times

  • The system shall be equipment compatible with existing technology in the the operating room

  • Operating room standards, sterility and biocompatibility, are a must

  • Orthopedic tools must be tough and durable, and must not break during use

  • The system must successfully access, collect, and remove the washer from the patients anatomy

Poster

Meet The Team

Abhineet Badyal

Abhineet is a Biomedical Engineering major at IUPUI with a Biomechanics depth area. She plans to work in the field after graduating. She enjoys reading, baking, and painting.

Tyler Fears

Tyler is pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree at IUPUI with a depth area in Biomechanics. He Will be starting an engineer position at NCSW Crane in the summer of 2022. He enjoys football, video games, and weightlifting.

Brian Nelson

Brian is pursuing biomedical engineering - biomaterials depth area - and chemistry degrees through the IUPUI-Butler University engineering dual degree program. He will be starting a quality manufacturing and science position at Eli Lilly in the summer of 2022. He enjoys golf, baseball, and a passion of cooking in his free time

Amrik Singh

Amrik is a Biomedical Engineering major at IUPUI with a depth area in Biomaterials. He plans to work in the field while pursuing a graduate degree in tissue engineering. He enjoys playing the guitar, playing video games, reading, and creative writing.

Our Sponsor


Roman M. Natoli, MD, PhD

  • Orthopedic Surgery, Trauma - IU Health

  • Asst. Prof. Orthopedic Surgery - IU School of Medicine

Acknowledgements:

Our team would like to thank our instructors Dr. Miller and Dr. Smith for their assistance and guidance throughout the project, our project sponsor Dr. Natoli of IU Health for aid in solving and understanding the project problem, Sherry Clemens for assistance and ordering of components, Dr. Wallace for insight on bone and metal mechanisms, Dr. Roper for assistance in understanding the biological interaction and overgrowth process, and Dr. Minner of the IUPUI Makerspace and Brian Overshiner and Tim Nisi of 3D Innovation Lab for prototype fabrication.