Asymmetric Bone Model Deformation for Fracture Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining anatomical alignment of broken bone fragments are prone to errors, leading to unreliable results and potential health risks during fracture reduction procedures, as they often assume symmetry and use inaccurate models.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that acquires an image of a broken bone and a corresponding unbroken bone model, allowing for deformations based on specific parameters to fit the model to the broken bone fragments, ensuring a more accurate anatomical alignment by restricting deformations to those consistent with the subject's attributes and bone characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated fracture reduction techniques are used that assume symmetry and use reflection of unbroken bone models, then the complexity of manual planning is reduced, but the accuracy and reliability of the alignment results deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by abandoning the symmetric reflection assumption and instead using asymmetric deformation models that allow different transformation parameters for each bone fragment. The method deforms a reference bone model asymmetrically to match the specific geometry of each patient's broken bone fragments, thereby improving reliability while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by introducing deformation parameters that control how the reference bone model is transformed to match the actual broken bone fragments. These parameters include scaling factors, rotation angles, and translation vectors that are optimized to achieve accurate alignment without assuming symmetry.
2Loss of time
If virtual three-dimensional models are created from CT scans with automated segmentation, then user interaction time is reduced, but the measurement precision of fracture alignment deteriorates due to segmentation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the deformation parameters obtained from matching the reference bone model to the segmented fragments as feedback to refine the segmentation and alignment. The method iteratively adjusts the deformation parameters and re-evaluates the fit, allowing correction of initial segmentation errors and improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-defining a reference bone model with known anatomical landmarks and deformation capabilities before the actual alignment process. This pre-prepared model serves as a template that guides the automated segmentation and alignment, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reference bone model is deformed freely to match broken bone fragments, then the adaptability of the model improves, but the manufacturing precision of the alignment deteriorates due to excessive deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing deformation only in specific local regions of the reference bone model that correspond to the fracture areas, while keeping the overall bone geometry constrained to maintain anatomical accuracy. This selective deformation approach enables adaptability to local fracture variations while preserving global alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a computer-implemented method (200) and apparatus for determining a transformation for anatomically aligning fragments of a broken bone. An image of the broken bone of the subject is acquired (202). The bone is broken into two or more fragments. A model of a corresponding unbroken bone and at least one parameter is acquired. The at least one parameter defines one or more deformations to the model that are permitted when fitting portions of the model of the unbroken bone to corresponding fragments of the broken bone (204). Portions of the model of the unbroken bone are fit to corresponding fragments of the broken bone based on the at least one parameter (206). A transformation is determined that anatomically aligns the fragments of the broken bone with the corresponding portions of the model (208).