Intraoperative Image Analysis for Orthopedic Implant Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical guidance technologies, such as preoperative digital templating and computer-assisted navigation systems, face limitations in accuracy and adoption due to scaling issues, high costs, and complex training requirements, leading to inconsistent outcomes in orthopedic surgeries like hip arthroplasty and fracture treatments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that acquire and analyze preoperative and intraoperative images to accurately estimate offset and length differentials of implants by establishing stationary points on skeletal bones, aligning digital implant representations, and calculating differences, providing accurate intraoperative guidance without the need for invasive hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If preoperative digital templating is used, then surgical planning can be performed in advance, but accuracy deteriorates due to scaling issues and magnification ratio deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical assumption of uniform magnification ratios with a computational image processing system. The system acquires intraoperative images and uses image processing algorithms to identify anatomical landmarks and calculate actual scaling factors, substituting the mechanical templating approach with a data-driven computational method that adapts to actual surgical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the scaling parameter based on intraoperative image analysis. Instead of using a fixed preoperative scale factor, the system calculates the actual magnification ratio from intraoperative images by comparing known anatomical dimensions with their image representations, thereby adapting the scaling parameter to real-world conditions during surgery.
2Manufacturing precision
If computer-assisted navigation systems are used, then implant positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the patient's anatomy through image processing of intraoperative X-rays or fluoroscopic images. This digital model is then used for measurement and planning purposes, eliminating the need for complex physical navigation hardware while maintaining the ability to achieve precise implant positioning through software-based analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential navigation functionality from complex hardware systems and isolates it into a standalone image processing software solution. By separating the core measurement and planning functions from expensive navigation hardware, the system achieves implant positioning accuracy without requiring invasive tracking devices or complex mechanical navigation systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional visual analysis techniques are used, then surgeon experience can guide decision making, but consistency deteriorates leading to functional parameter outliers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system that provides objective measurements of functional parameters such as leg length, offset, and implant positioning. The system analyzes intraoperative images and delivers quantitative feedback to the surgeon, allowing experienced judgment to be combined with consistent, reproducible measurements that reduce human error and variability in decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method that acquire (i) at least a reference image including one of a preoperative image of a surgical site with skeletal and articulating bones and a contralateral image on an opposite side of the patient from the surgical site, and (ii) at least an intraoperative image of the site after an implant has been affixed to the articulating bone. The system preferably generates at least one reference stationary point on at least the skeletal bone in the reference image and at least one intraoperative stationary point on at least the skeletal bone in the intraoperative image. The location of the implant is identified in the intraoperative image, preferably including the position of first and second centers of rotation, which are digitally represented and copied into the reference image to analyze at least one of offset and length differential.