Joint Implant Rotational Axis Alignment With Ligament Attachments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pre-operative planning techniques for joint implant surgery, such as total knee arthroplasty, do not account for the soft tissue around the joint, leading to potential stresses and strains on ligaments and instability due to misalignment of rotational axes with ligament attachment regions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method to determine ligament attachment regions and rotational axes of a joint implant, aligning them during pre-operative planning to reduce stresses and strains on ligaments, thereby avoiding instability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional mechanical alignment is used to restore neutral leg alignment, then overall leg alignment is improved, but ligament stresses and strains increase due to misalignment with ligament attachment regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleg alignmentVSAvoidligament stresses and strains

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs pre-operative planning that identifies ligament attachment regions and calculates optimal implant positioning before surgery. By determining the rotational axis location and comparing it with ligament attachment regions in advance, the system enables surgeons to position implants that align with ligament attachments, thereby preventing ligament stresses and strains before the surgery occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary computational layer between conventional mechanical alignment and actual implant placement. This intermediary system uses medical imaging data to identify ligament attachment regions and calculates the optimal rotational axis position, serving as a mediator that reconciles mechanical alignment requirements with soft tissue preservation needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional alignment techniques are used, then surgical procedure simplicity is maintained, but joint stability deteriorates due to ligament laxity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure simplicityVSAvoidjoint stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs comprehensive pre-operative analysis including identification of ligament attachment regions and calculation of optimal rotational axis positioning before surgery. This preliminary planning provides surgeons with precise guidance on implant placement, ensuring joint stability through proper alignment with ligament attachments while maintaining procedural simplicity through automated calculations and visual guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to surgeons by displaying the calculated rotational axis position and its relationship to ligament attachment regions. This feedback mechanism guides implant placement decisions, allowing surgeons to achieve optimal joint stability without requiring complex intraoperative adjustments or ligament releases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If implant rotational axes are misaligned with ligament attachment regions, then implant placement is simplified, but soft tissue preservation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement simplicityVSAvoidsoft tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies ligament attachment regions and calculates the optimal implant rotational axis position before surgery using medical imaging data. By performing this analysis in advance, the system enables surgeons to place implants with proper alignment to ligament attachments, preserving soft tissue integrity while maintaining relatively simple placement procedures through pre-determined optimal positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the critical parameter of rotational axis position to align with ligament attachment regions. By calculating and specifying the optimal rotational axis location based on individual patient anatomy, the system transforms implant placement from a standardized procedure to a customized approach that preserves soft tissue while remaining surgically feasible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12605212B2Systems and methods of determining ligament attachment areas with respect to the location of a rotational axis of a joint implant

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 MATERIALISE NV

AI summary

Systems and methods of determining ligament attachment areas with respect to the location of a rotational axis of a joint implant are disclosed. Certain embodiments provide a computer-implemented method of evaluating placement of a joint implant with respect to a joint. The method includes determining one or more ligament attachment regions of the joint. The method further includes determining one or more rotational axes of the joint implant. The method further includes determining a position of the joint implant relative to the joint. The method further includes determining whether the one or more rotational axes align with the one or more ligament attachment regions when the joint implant is at the position. The method further includes displaying to a user an indication of whether the one or more rotational axes align with the one or more ligament attachment regions when the joint implant is at the position.