Custom Acetabular Template with Directional Guide Vane for Hip Arthroplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
During hip arthroplasty, malpositioning of the acetabular component is common due to variability in pelvic position, leading to dislocation, impingement, and wear, and existing methods like qualitative assessment of local anatomy are inaccurate and flawed, especially in malformed hips.
Innovation Solution
A method using medical imaging to create a 3-D surface model of the patient's anatomy, followed by fabrication of a custom template with a surgical guide that ensures the component is positioned correctly, providing precise orientation for implant placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If qualitative assessment of local anatomy is used to position the acetabular component, then the surgical process is simple and quick, but the positioning accuracy is poor leading to malpositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preoperative imaging (CT or MRI) and 3D modeling before surgery to create a patient-specific template. This template is custom-designed based on the patient's unique anatomy and pre-determined optimal component positioning, allowing the surgeon to simply attach and follow the template during surgery without complex intraoperative measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a 3D digital model of the patient's anatomy from imaging data, then generating a physical template that replicates the optimal positioning geometry. The template is essentially a physical copy of the ideal component position and orientation relative to the patient's specific anatomical landmarks.
2Measurement precision
If the transverse acetabular ligament is used as an orientation marker, then the method is simple to implement, but geometric errors lead to large angular errors in component orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D surface assessment to 3D volumetric modeling by using CT or MRI imaging to create a three-dimensional model of the patient's anatomy. This allows precise determination of spatial relationships and optimal component positioning in three dimensions, eliminating the geometric errors inherent in 2D ligament-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-based imaging and modeling system as an intermediary between the patient's anatomy and the surgical procedure. This intermediary processes the imaging data to generate precise 3D models and templates, eliminating the need for direct visual interpretation of anatomical landmarks by the surgeon.
3Measurement precision
If computer-assisted surgical navigation is used to track pelvic position, then component positioning accuracy is improved, but the surgical complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all complex measurements, calculations, and 3D modeling in the preoperative phase using imaging data. The optimal component position and orientation are determined before surgery, and a physical template is created to guide the procedure. This eliminates the need for complex real-time navigation systems during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a disposable or single-use patient-specific template that is discarded after the procedure. This simple physical guide provides accurate positioning without requiring expensive, complex navigation hardware or software systems that would need to be maintained and operated during surgery.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging device takes one or more images of the local anatomy of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A surface model generator receives the one or more images and generates a 3-D surface model of the patient's anatomy. A fabrication device utilizes the 3-D surface model to fabricate a template custom designed to match the surface of the patient's anatomy. Attached to the template is a directional guide vane. The fabrication device is configured to create a template and directional guide vane such that, when the template is fitted to the patient's anatomy, the directional guide vane points along a predefined orientation relative to the patient's anatomy. A physician uses the directional guide vane as a visual guide or cue for installing an implantable prosthetic component during a surgical procedure.