Patient-Specific Bone Model Generation Using Standard Radiographs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating patient-specific surgical equipment in orthopedics face inaccuracies due to the limitations of conventional CT imaging, which results in geometric inaccuracies and increased costs, radiation exposure, and time barriers, necessitating the development of alternative imaging methods that can accurately model anatomic features without relying on advanced multi-planar imaging.
Innovation Solution
The use of a conforming bone template model modified by measured nonconformities, where the nonconformity is measured using x-ray imaging or standard planar images, allowing for the generation of accurate bone models without the need for complex imaging, thereby reducing radiation exposure and costs, and enabling the creation of precise patient-specific surgical equipment such as osteotomy guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional CT imaging is used to generate patient-specific surgical equipment models, then the models can be created with available imaging technology, but the geometric accuracy of anatomic features is compromised due to large voxel sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the imaging process into two distinct components: (1) standard radiographs for capturing overall bone geometry and anatomy, and (2) targeted measurements of specific anatomic features of interest. This segmentation allows each imaging modality to be used for its strengths, avoiding the resolution limitations of CT while maintaining geometric accuracy for surgical planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an accurate geometric copy of the patient's bone by combining standard radiograph images with precise measurements of anatomic features. Rather than relying on low-resolution CT voxels, the system reconstructs a high-accuracy bone model that replicates the essential geometric properties needed for surgical equipment design, achieving CT-level accuracy without CT imaging.
2Reliability
If conventional CT imaging is used for patient-specific surgical equipment development, then comprehensive imaging data is obtained, but radiation exposure and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution replaces expensive, high-radiation CT imaging with standard, low-radiation radiographs that are already part of routine orthopedic practice. By using disposable, widely-available radiographic imaging instead of costly CT scans, the system achieves comparable modeling accuracy while significantly reducing radiation exposure and making patient-specific surgical equipment accessible to more patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces measurements of anatomic features as an intermediary step between standard radiographs and the final bone model. This intermediary process extracts precise geometric information from low-radiation images, enabling accurate surgical equipment design without requiring direct use of high-radiation CT imaging.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional CT imaging is used to create patient-specific surgical equipment, then detailed imaging data is available, but time barriers increase due to complex imaging and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The solution performs preliminary actions by using standard radiographs and measurements that are already obtained during routine patient evaluation. By preparing the bone model data from these pre-existing imaging sources rather than requiring separate CT scans and complex processing pipelines, the system significantly reduces the time from patient evaluation to surgical equipment design while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems related to bone model generation and associated surgical techniques are discussed herein. A disclosed method for generating a bone model for a patient bone includes storing a conforming bone template model, accepting a nonconformity of the patient bone, and generating a nonconforming bone model using the nonconformity of the patient bone and the bone template model. The nonconformity is used to set a constraint of the conforming bone template model to a value and the nonconforming bone model has the value for the constraint. The nonconforming bone model can be generated using a bone model generator engine. In specific embodiments, the nonconformity can be described and accepted for use by the bone model generator engine using values that can be obtained from standard planar radiographs.