Patient-Specific 3D Printed Acetabular Alignment Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical guide systems for acetabular implant procedures are cumbersome, costly, and require long setup times, lacking personalization and ease of use, which complicates precision positioning during surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A personalized 3D printed surgical guide system is developed, utilizing patient-specific radiographic images to create a customized alignment guide with 3D modeling, quantification, and manufacturing modules, enabling precise positioning of acetabular implants with adjustable components and sterilization for quick and easy setup during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical guide systems are used, then alignment precision can be achieved, but setup time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is designed and manufactured before surgery based on pre-operative imaging data (CT or MRI). The guide incorporates patient-specific 3D models that pre-calculate optimal implant positioning, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative measurements and adjustments. This preliminary preparation reduces setup time while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a physical copy or replica of the patient's unique pelvic anatomy using 3D printing technology. This custom-made guide replicates the specific geometric features of the patient's pelvis, allowing direct transfer of pre-planned alignment data to the surgical site without requiring complex measurement tools during surgery.
2Measurement precision
If traditional surgical guide systems are used, then alignment precision can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide is divided into distinct functional components: a base portion that interfaces with the patient's pelvis, positioning elements that define implant orientation, and attachment features for surgical instruments. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing through additive processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes 3D printing technology to manufacture the alignment guide, changing the manufacturing parameter from traditional machining or molding to additive fabrication. This parameter change enables complex geometries to be produced more simply and cost-effectively, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized surgical guides are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to patient-specific anatomy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameter from standardized production to patient-specific additive manufacturing. This allows the same manufacturing process (3D printing) to produce both simple and complex geometries on demand, achieving both ease of manufacture and patient-specific adaptability through digital file customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide design incorporates universal features that can accommodate different implant types and surgical approaches while maintaining patient-specific fit. The guide can be adapted to work with various reamers, impactors, and implant configurations, providing versatility without sacrificing customization.
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment guide for acetabular implants is designed to fit a particular patient using 3D medical imagery, conforms to the patient and uses one or more guide holes to direct the insertion of a positioning pin to indicate the correct positioning of various surgical tools during a medical procedure.