Flexible Sensor 3D Spinal Mapping for Rod Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for spinal fixation and other orthopedic surgeries face challenges in accurately determining the shape, length, and geometry of surgical implements, leading to complications and increased risk due to reliance on manual methods or imaging alone.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible surgical sensor to generate a three-dimensional path representing the spinal contour, allowing for the preoperative planning and bending of spinal rods to match the patient's anatomy, with a system that includes a computer-readable storage medium, display device, and rod bender to facilitate precise alignment and insertion of surgical implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods or imaging alone are used to determine the shape, length, and geometry of surgical implements, then the surgical procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but the precision and accuracy of surgical implement positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional imaging data to three-dimensional physical mapping by introducing a flexible sensor that captures the actual spatial geometry of the spinal column. This dimensional enhancement allows for precise determination of surgical implement shape, length, and geometry by creating a physical 3D representation that can be directly compared with preoperative planning data, thereby improving measurement precision without relying solely on complex imaging processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible surgical sensor as an intermediary element that physically contacts the spinal column to capture its three-dimensional geometry. This sensor acts as a mediator between the complex imaging data and the surgical implement design, providing direct tactile measurement of spinal contours, deformities, and alignment. The sensor's flexible nature allows it to conform to the spinal surface, enabling accurate geometry capture while simplifying the overall measurement process compared to sophisticated image analysis.
2Reliability
If multiple and/or increasingly precise insertions of surgical implements are performed, then the surgical outcome can be improved, but the surgical risk and procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a three-dimensional map of the spinal column before surgical implement insertion. This preoperative mapping allows surgeons to plan the exact shape, length, and geometry of surgical implements based on actual patient anatomy rather than relying on multiple trial insertions. The 3D map serves as a guide for pre-bending rods and positioning implements, reducing the need for repeated adjustments and multiple insertions, thereby improving surgical outcome reliability while reducing surgical risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the preoperative three-dimensional spinal map with the actual spinal geometry captured during surgery using the flexible sensor. This feedback mechanism allows real-time verification of spinal alignment and deformity correction, enabling surgeons to adjust surgical implement positioning based on actual measured data rather than relying on multiple trial insertions. The feedback loop ensures accurate positioning on the first attempt, improving reliability while minimizing surgical risk associated with repeated manipulations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the shape and geometry of surgical implements are determined manually, then the equipment and procedure can be simpler, but the manufacturing precision and consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating an accurate three-dimensional replica of the patient's spinal column geometry using the flexible sensor. This physical 3D copy captures the exact contours, deformities, and alignment of the spinal anatomy, which can then be used as a template for manufacturing custom surgical implements. The copied geometry is transferred to rod benders or 3D printing systems that fabricate implants with precise patient-specific shapes, ensuring manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated processes guided by the digital or physical 3D model.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for spinal surgery may include receiving a planned rod contour and using a flexible surgical sensor to generate a three-dimensional path, wherein the three-dimensional path may represent a spinal contour of a patient. The method may further include bending a spinal rod according to one of: the planned rod contour, the spinal contour of a patient, and a modified contour derived from the planned rod contour and/or the spinal contour of the patient.