Computer-Implemented Bone Plate Design System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate design processes require substantial customization in the operating room due to their reliance on predefined standard bone plates, which limits efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for generating a data set that geometrically defines a bone plate design, allowing for patient-specific or generic design based on shape data and user interaction, enabling precise customization before surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If predefined standard bone plates are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but customization capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary customization of bone plates through computer-implemented design methods before manufacturing. Surgeons can interactively design patient-specific bone plates by manipulating virtual models and defining geometric parameters, and these customized designs are then manufactured using additive manufacturing technology. This resolves the contradiction by enabling customization prior to manufacturing rather than requiring manual customization in the operating room.
2Measurement precision
If extensive customization is performed in the operating room, then patient-specific accuracy is improved, but surgical time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all customization operations in the preoperative phase using computer software and patient-specific anatomical data. Surgeons can interactively design and optimize bone plate geometry, hole positions, and contours before surgery. The customized bone plates are then manufactured in advance using additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual customization during surgery while maintaining high patient-specific accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical customization operations in the operating room with computer-based interactive design and automated additive manufacturing. Surgeons use computer software to define geometric parameters and manipulate virtual models, and the system automatically generates manufacturing files for precise fabrication. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual bending and cutting operations while maintaining customization accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual customization operations are performed, then adaptability to patient anatomy is improved, but manufacturing precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical customization with computer-based interactive design and automated additive manufacturing. Surgeons use computer software to precisely define geometric parameters, contour shapes, and hole positions based on patient-specific 3D models. The system automatically generates precise manufacturing files that guide additive manufacturing processes, ensuring high geometric accuracy and repeatability that cannot be achieved through manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables precise control of bone plate geometric parameters through computer software. Surgeons can interactively adjust and optimize parameters such as plate thickness, contour curvature, hole diameter, and hole position to exactly match patient-specific anatomical requirements. These digital parameter definitions are then directly transferred to manufacturing processes, ensuring high precision in the final customized product.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented technique for generating a data set that geometrically defines a bone plate design is presented. A method implementation of this technique comprises visualizing, based on shape data of a bone, a bone model on a display device, deriving, responsive to a user interaction signal that is indicative of a user interaction relative to the bone model, plate design data representative of a plate-specific design property, and generating a data set that geometrically defines a bone plate design from at least the plate design data and one or more generic plate parameters.