Computer-Aided Bone Graft Shaping for Surgical Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone grafting methods require a sufficient volume of bone particulate, which is difficult to maintain shape and size during the healing phase, especially for small graft sites, and are technique-sensitive and time-consuming, often relying on moldable titanium meshes.

Innovation Solution

Computer-aided design and precision-cutting of human or bovine bone to create a sterile, pre-shaped bone graft with customizable dimensions and pre-drilled holes for direct placement, using CT scans and CAD software to ensure precise fit and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bone particulate is used for grafting, then sufficient volume of bone can be provided, but maintaining the graft shape and size is difficult during the healing phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of bone graftVSAvoidgraft shape maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bone graft is segmented into a structural framework (titanium mesh) and filling material (bone particulate). The mesh provides shape maintenance while the particulate fills the volume, resolving the contradiction between maintaining shape and providing sufficient volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining titanium mesh and bone particulate. The titanium mesh maintains structural integrity and shape, while the bone particulate provides the necessary volume and biological activity, solving the contradiction between shape maintenance and volume provision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If moldable titanium mesh is used to maintain graft shape, then the desired shape can be achieved, but the process is technique sensitive and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraft shapeVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The titanium mesh is pre-formed into the desired shape and size before surgery. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for intraoperative shaping, reducing surgical time and technical complexity while ensuring the correct graft shape is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If moldable titanium mesh is used to maintain graft shape, then the desired shape can be achieved, but the process is technique sensitive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraft shapeVSAvoidsurgical technique sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh is pre-formed and sized before surgery, eliminating the need for intraoperative shaping techniques. This preliminary action reduces technical sensitivity by transforming a skill-dependent process into a simpler insertion procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The desired graft shape is created by copying the patient's anatomical requirements into the mesh design before surgery. This pre-designed copy eliminates the need for complex intraoperative shaping techniques, reducing surgical technique sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10945794B2Computer-aided design and preparation of bone graft
Publication Date: 2021.03.16 TJON KRISTIAN

AI summary

Described herein is a method of preparing a bone graft product, comprising computer-guided precision cutting an unshaped piece of bone from a human cadaver or a bovine animal to provide a shaped piece of bone having a predetermined shape that is determined by a human being using computer-aided design. Bone graft products prepared using this method and methods of grafting these products are also disclosed.