Contralateral Image Orthopedic Implant Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthopedic implants often deviate in size and shape from the natural bones they replace, leading to suboptimal fit and function, particularly in complex skeletal structures like the wrist, which can result in incomplete restoration of mobility and dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A method employing contralateral imaging and 3D printing to create patient-specific prosthetic implants by scanning the healthy side of the skeletal structure, inverting and augmenting the 3D model to accurately replicate the compromised bone, using biocompatible materials for precise fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional mass-produced orthopedic implants are used, then manufacturing cost and inventory management are simplified, but the fit and function deviate from natural bone structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital 3D model by copying and mirroring the healthy contralateral bone structure. This digital copy serves as the template for designing the custom implant, ensuring it precisely replicates the patient's natural anatomy while eliminating the need for complex manual measurements and modeling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing pre-operative imaging data of the healthy bone and creating a digital 3D model before surgery. This allows the custom implant to be designed and manufactured in advance with precise anatomical matching, rather than attempting to fit standardized implants during surgery
2Ease of operation
If standardized implants are used, then manufacturing and inventory processes are simplified, but mobility restoration is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from standardized dimensions to patient-specific anatomical parameters by using contralateral bone imaging data. This allows the implant to precisely match the unique geometry of the patient's bone structure, restoring natural mobility patterns that standardized implants cannot achieve
3Manufacturing precision
If custom patient-specific implants are created through traditional methods, then fit accuracy improves, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and modeling methods with digital imaging and computational modeling. CT or MRI scans automatically generate 3D models through image processing algorithms, eliminating time-consuming manual measurements and physical model creation while maintaining high anatomical precision
Data Source
AI summary
A fabrication system and method for prosthetic appliances employs imaging of a contralateral skeletal structure for designing a matched, patient specific replacement appliance based on the patient's own skeletal structure. Many skeletal structures are disposed on opposed sides, i.e. left and right sides. A contralateral bone or skeletal member often accurately depicts the individual bone shape of a particular patient more accurately than a generalized approximation. A scan such as a CT or MRI is segmented to apportion a skeletal member for replacement and reconstructed into a 3D (3 dimensional) model. The 3D model is inverted to define the contralateral side, and augmented for surgical connection features and comparison with an anatomic ideal to mitigate imperfections. 3D printing and/or additive manufacturing techniques are invoked with biocompatible materials to render the replacement prosthetic appliance based on the model.