Bone Wall Tracking for Precise Orthopedic Implant Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Challenges in accurately positioning orthopedic implants during surgical procedures due to low visibility of bone structures and variations in bone quality, leading to risks of bone fracture and stress shielding.

Innovation Solution

A mixed reality (MR)-based visualization system for intraoperative guidance that monitors the spatial relationship between implant components and bone surfaces, providing real-time feedback to surgeons to avoid bone damage by using sensors and virtual models for precise implant placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional surgical methods are used for implant placement, then surgical procedure can be performed, but positioning precision is insufficient leading to bone damage risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement precisionVSAvoidbone fracture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and positioning methods with optical sensing and mixed reality visualization. Sensors optically track bone surfaces and implant positions, while MR visualization presents spatial relationship data to surgeons, eliminating reliance on mechanical measuring tools and improving positioning precision without physical contact that could cause bone damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and MR visualization equipment between the surgeon and the surgical field. This intermediary automatically calculates and displays the spatial relationships between implants and bone surfaces, providing real-time feedback that helps surgeons maintain safe distances and precise positioning without directly measuring during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time monitoring of bone-implant spatial relationship is implemented, then implant placement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal sensors and imaging equipment that can track multiple bone surfaces and implant components simultaneously. The same sensor system and MR visualization platform handle various surgical instruments and implant types, reducing the need for specialized equipment for each component and managing system complexity through multi-functional tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of bone surfaces and implant positions through optical sensing and MR visualization. These digital replicas allow real-time calculation of spatial relationships without requiring complex physical measurement devices during surgery, simplifying the physical system while maintaining high precision through virtual modeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If customized surgical planning is performed using 3D bone modeling, then implant selection accuracy is improved, but preoperative planning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant selection accuracyVSAvoidpreoperative planning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary 3D bone modeling and implant selection during preoperative planning to create a customized surgical plan. By completing the complex modeling and selection work before surgery, the system enables rapid intraoperative execution using the pre-determined plan, offsetting the preoperative time investment with streamlined surgical performance and reduced intraoperative decision-making time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses computational algorithms and software to automatically generate 3D bone models and simulate implant placements, replacing manual measurement and planning methods. This automation accelerates the preoperative planning process while maintaining or improving accuracy compared to traditional manual techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12551290B2Bone wall tracking and guidance for orthopedic implant placement

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

An example method includes registering a virtual model of a portion of a bone of a patient with a corresponding observed portion of the bone, the virtual model including a representation of a wall of the bone; registering a virtual model of an implant component with a corresponding observed implant component; and indicating, based on the registered virtual model of the portion of the bone and the registered virtual model of the implant component, a position of at least a portion of the implant component relative to a position of the wall of the bone.