Automated Bone Fragment Positioning via Segmentation and Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical technologies lack efficient automated methods for accurately positioning and reassembling bone fragments in complex fractures, relying heavily on manual intervention and lengthy operations due to the irregular shapes and multiple neighbors of bone fragments, which complicates the reconstruction process.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using imaging devices for bone fragment positioning, employing a combination of segmentation algorithms and fragment-matching techniques, including 2D or 3D pattern recognition, to generate result data for guiding surgeons in repositioning bone fragments, with output formats adaptable for visual, acoustic, or light signals, and utilizing a database for anatomical structure mapping and self-learning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used for identifying and positioning bone fragments, then flexibility and adaptability to complex fracture patterns are maintained, but operation time is excessively long and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic bone fragment identification, segmentation, and positioning without requiring manual intervention. The algorithm independently processes medical images, identifies fracture patterns, and generates repositioning instructions, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning methods with an automated computational system. Instead of surgeons manually examining and positioning bone fragments, a computer-based algorithm processes medical images, identifies fragments, and calculates optimal positioning, substituting mechanical human operations with automated information processing.
2Productivity
If automated puzzle-solving algorithms are directly applied to bone fragment positioning, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to irregular bone shapes and varying neighbor counts
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts the positioning criteria to local characteristics of each bone fragment. Instead of applying uniform puzzle-solving rules, the algorithm considers the specific irregular shape, size, and anatomical features of each fragment, allowing localized adjustments to matching criteria that ensure anatomical correctness while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the parameters of the positioning algorithm to accommodate bone fragment characteristics. The system adjusts matching parameters such as shape tolerance, size variation ranges, and neighbor connection rules to reflect the biological variability of bone fragments, enabling reliable automated positioning despite irregular geometries.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive image processing and segmentation are performed, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the complex task of bone fragment positioning into distinct sequential steps: image acquisition, image processing, segmentation of bone fragments, identification of fragment characteristics, and generation of positioning instructions. This segmentation of the process reduces overall system complexity by breaking down the complex problem into manageable modular components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a control module for calculating and displaying result data based on at least one medical image, which has been captured by an imaging device, are provided. At least one image is captured by the imaging device in a digital format with a plurality of bone fragments. Subsequently, a segmentation method is applied to the captured image for identification of the bone fragments contained in the image. Thereafter, a fragment-matching algorithm is executed on the segmented bone fragments for calculation of result data. The result data includes instruction data for assembling at least a part of the bone fragments, which is output on the monitor in a configurable format.