Hip Joint Navigation System for Accurate Prosthesis Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current joint replacement surgery relies heavily on two-dimensional X-ray images and traditional surgical tools, leading to low accuracy, high surgical risk, and postoperative complications due to inadequate preoperative planning and real-time navigation.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system and method for joint replacement surgery that includes a preoperative planning module for segmenting and reconstructing a 3D model of the hip joint, a navigation registration module for registering the 3D model with intraoperative data using optical locators and reference racks, and a handheld control module for real-time monitoring and adjustment of prosthesis placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional 3D model reconstructed based on CT image data before surgery is used, then preoperative planning can be performed, but registration accuracy with anatomical structure during surgery is low and surgical time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the relationship between the surgical instrument and the patient's anatomical structure before surgery, and pre-aligning the coordinate systems of the surgical instrument, navigation system, and patient body. This allows the 3D model to be quickly and accurately registered during surgery without time-consuming adjustments, resolving the contradiction between registration accuracy and surgical time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional surgical tools and instruments are used for artificial joint implantation, then surgery can be performed, but accuracy is low and repeatability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprosthesis placement accuracyVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional mechanical surgical tools and instruments with a computerized navigation system that uses 3D models, coordinate transformations, and digital tracking. This substitution of mechanical systems with computational systems enables precise control of prosthesis placement, significantly improving accuracy and repeatability while managing device complexity through software integration.

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

3Loss of information

If two-dimensional X-ray images are used during surgery, then surgical procedure can be performed, but quantitative analysis of lesion area is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical information completenessVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional X-ray imaging to three-dimensional navigation and visualization. By reconstructing the patient's anatomy as a 3D model and tracking surgical instruments in three-dimensional space, the system provides complete anatomical information including depth, volume, and spatial relationships that are lost in 2D images, thereby eliminating information loss while managing imaging complexity through integrated navigation software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system significantly improves the accuracy and safety of joint replacement surgery by providing a clear 3D visualization of the hip joint, allowing for precise preoperative planning and real-time intraoperative navigation, thereby reducing surgical risks and complications.

Implementation Method 1

determining spatial positions of a pelvis and a femur by using an optical locator, a pelvic reference rack, and a femoral reference rack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical tracking: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP4265214B1Navigation system for joint replacement surgery
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 LONGWOOD VALLEY MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP4265214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4265214B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4265214B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A navigation system and method for joint replacement surgery, the system comprising: a pre-operative planning module (1), configured to perform segmentation and reconstruction on the basis of acquired hip j oint medical image data to obtain a hip j oint three-dimensional model, and perform pre-operative planning to determine the position, size, and angle of a prosthesis placement; and a navigation alignment module (2), configured to determine the spatial position of the pelvis and femur on the basis of a pelvis reference frame and a femoral reference frame, perform alignment on the hip joint three-dimensional model on the basis of the spatial position relationship between a surgical probe and the pelvis reference frame and femoral reference frame to obtain a hip joint physical model, and control a surgical instrument clamping the prosthesis to place the prosthesis in the hip joint on the basis of the hip joint physical model. By means of the pre-operative planning of information such as the surgical access and prosthesis placement, and tracking the surgical instrument during the surgery by means of a spatial positioning method, the accuracy of surgery is improved and navigation support is provided to the physician, making the surgery safer and more efficient.