Cement Bore Planning System for Thin Bone Implant Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing orthopedic implants in thin bones, such as the scapula, face challenges in accurately positioning cement bores to prevent unintended penetration through the bone, which can lead to cement leaks and complications during surgeries like shoulder replacement.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for planning and creating cement bores in bones using virtual modeling and patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) jigs, which generate a three-dimensional model of the bone, calculate the required cement bore depth, and produce a PSI jig with a depth stop to ensure precise and safe implant placement, preventing cement from piercing through the distal bone surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cement bores are made deeper in thin bones to secure implant placement, then implant stability is improved, but the risk of bore penetration through the bone increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidbone penetration risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary 3D modeling and virtual planning of the cement bore path and depth before actual surgery. This allows the bone thickness to be measured and the optimal bore depth to be determined in advance, preventing both under-penetration and through-penetration during the actual procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and estimation with computer-based 3D imaging and virtual modeling systems. The planning software calculates precise bore depths based on digital bone models, substituting subjective mechanical judgment with objective computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual methods are used for cement bore positioning, then surgical simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical simplicityVSAvoidbore positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a PSI (Patient-Specific Instrumentation) jig as an intermediary device that bridges the planning phase and execution phase. The jig is custom-made based on the patient's unique bone anatomy from 3D scans, and it mechanically guides the drill to the pre-calculated bore position and depth, translating digital planning into precise physical execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy (3D model) of the patient's bone anatomy from imaging data. This virtual replica allows for precise measurement and planning without disturbing the actual bone, and the planning results are then transferred to the physical surgery through the PSI jig.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3273893B1Method and system for assisting implant placement in thin bones such as scapula
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 ORTHOSOFT ULC
  • EP3273893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3273893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3273893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for planning a creation of a cement bore in a bone comprises obtaining a virtual model of a bone, the model of the bone including a proximal bone surface, a distal bone surface, and a depth profile between the proximal bone surface and the distal bone surface. A planned positioning of a first implant selected to be implanted in the proximal bone surface is obtained. An identity of at least one tool used to alter the proximal bone surface to receive the first implant in the planned positioning and obtaining geometry data for the at least one tool is obtained. A cement bore required in the bone using the geometry data of the at least one tool and the planned positioning of the first implant is generated. The virtual model of the bone with the cement bore indicative of a relation between the cement bore and the distal bone surface is output.