Machine Learning-Based Diagnosis in Laser Resonance Frequency Analysis for Implant Stability of Orthopedic Pedicle Screws

Evaluation of the initial stability of implants is essential to reduce the number of implant failures of pedicle screws after orthopedic surgeries. Laser resonance frequency analysis (L-RFA) has been recently proposed as a viable diagnostic scheme in this regard. In a previous study, L-RFA was used to demonstrate the diagnosis of implant stability of monoaxial screws with a fixed head. However, polyaxial screws with movable heads are also frequently used in practice. In this paper, we clarify the characteristics of the laser-induced vibrational spectra of polyaxial screws which are required for making L-RFA diagnoses of implant stability. In addition, a novel analysis scheme of a vibrational spectrum using L-RFA based on machine learning is demonstrated and proposed. The proposed machine learning-based diagnosis method demonstrates a highly accurate prediction of implant stability (peak torque) for polyaxial pedicle screws. This achievement will contribute an important analytical method for implant stability diagnosis using L-RFA for implants with moving parts and shapes used in various clinical situations.