AR Bone Registration for Knee Implant Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic knee arthroplasty systems require cumbersome probing sequences for bone registration and struggle to accurately calculate mechanical axes without using intramedullary or extramedullary rods and contact infrared probes, necessitating a real-time, accurate registration system for guiding implant placement.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a measurement device to track reference points on bones and surgical devices, combined with real-time data processing to generate a visual model and overlay virtual images for guiding implant placement, utilizing technologies like 3D scanning and augmented reality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional probing sequences are used for bone registration, then the bone can be registered, but the process becomes timely and cumbersome for surgeons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical probing system with an optical measurement system. Instead of using physical probes to manually trace bone surfaces, the system employs optical sensors and cameras to capture bone geometry non-contactly, eliminating the time-consuming manual probing process while maintaining registration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary bone registration and mechanical axis calculation before the actual implantation procedure. By pre-establishing the coordinate system and calculating reference axes in advance, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative probing and allows surgeons to proceed directly with implant placement
2Measurement precision
If intramedullary or extramedullary rods and contact infrared probes are used to calculate mechanical axes, then the axes can be determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for intramedullary rods, extramedullary rods, and contact infrared probes from the system. By using optical measurement techniques that capture bone geometry and calculate mechanical axes through software algorithms, the system removes these complex physical components while maintaining axis calculation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or digital model of the bone anatomy through optical scanning. This digital replica allows for virtual calculation of mechanical axes and surgical planning without requiring physical rods or probes to be inserted into or against the patient's body, thereby reducing device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time measurement array is used to guide implant placement, then the placement accuracy improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer-based navigation system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the implant placement process. This system processes real-time measurement data, calculates optimal implant positions, and provides visual guidance through displays or augmented reality, thereby maintaining high placement accuracy while simplifying the surgeon's task through automated calculations and clear visual feedback
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and systems may be used intraoperatively to help surgeons perform accurate and replicable surgeries, such as knee arthroplasty surgeries. An example system combines real time measurement and tracking components with functionality to compile data collected by the hardware to register a bone of a patient, calculate an axis (e.g., mechanical axis) of the leg of the patient, assist a surgeon in placing cut guides, and verify a placement of an inserted prosthesis.