Femoral Anteversion Angle Determination via Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for determining the anteversion angle of the femur during bone fracture treatment involve significant radiation exposure and inefficiencies, as they often require multiple X-ray images and rely on the skill of the physician to accurately position bone nails.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize image data processing to determine the anteversion angle of the femoral shaft by identifying landmarks, placing tangents parallel to the shaft axis, and calculating the angle based on these tangents and the shaft axis, reducing the need for multiple images and minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple X-ray images are taken to determine the anteversion angle, then measurement precision is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for anteversion angle determination from a single X-ray image by identifying specific landmarks (greater and lesser trochanters) and calculating geometric relationships, eliminating the need for multiple images and thus reducing radiation exposure while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical process of taking multiple X-ray images with an information processing approach that uses image analysis and geometric calculations on a single image, substituting physical radiation exposure with computational methods to achieve the same measurement goal
2Measurement precision
If manual identification of landmarks is performed, then measurement precision may be improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic landmark identification through image processing algorithms that autonomously detect the greater and lesser trochanters and calculate the anteversion angle without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-sufficient and dramatically improving productivity while maintaining precision through consistent algorithmic application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of landmark identification with automated image processing and computational geometry, substituting human physical action with algorithmic processing to achieve both high speed and consistent accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If iterative positioning based on multiple images is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the anteversion angle from a single X-ray image before bone nail insertion, allowing the surgeon to plan the exact positioning in advance and execute it directly without time-consuming iterative adjustments during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts all necessary positioning information from a single X-ray image through automatic landmark identification and geometric calculation, eliminating the need for iterative positioning based on multiple images and significantly reducing the time required for accurate bone nail placement
Data Source
AI summary
A device, a system and a method for determining an anteversion angle of a femoral shaft of a femur are provided. The device includes a provision unit and a processing unit. The provision unit is configured to provide image data of the femur, and wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a longitudinal shaft axis extending through the femoral shaft based on the image data. The processing unit is further configured to determine at least two landmarks of the femur based on the image data, and place a tangent trough each landmark parallel to the shaft axis. The processing unit is configured to determine the anteversion angle of the femoral shaft based on the tangents and the shaft axis of the femoral shaft.