Intraoperative Implant Sizing via Digital Anatomical Landmarks
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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 implant placement and patient outcomes in orthopedic surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that analyze intraoperative images by establishing reference points on skeletal bones, aligning digital implant representations with anatomical features, and calculating offset and length differentials using preoperative and contralateral images, enabling accurate implant selection and placement without invasive hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If preoperative digital templating with ball marker scaling is used, then implant sizing can be determined before surgery, but accuracy deteriorates due to magnification ratio deviations between bones and ball marker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the patient's anatomy from preoperative CT or MRI scans, eliminating the need for physical ball markers. The digital model is scaled using anatomical landmarks (e.g., femoral head diameter) that remain consistent between imaging and surgery, resolving the magnification ratio deviation problem while maintaining preoperative planning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball marker scaling system with a digital image processing system that uses anatomical feature recognition and landmark-based scaling. This substitution eliminates the physical scaling artifacts while preserving the ability to perform preoperative templating
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 uses digital copies of patient anatomy from standard preoperative imaging (CT/MRI) rather than requiring specialized navigation hardware. The digital models are processed through software algorithms that provide positioning guidance without invasive trackers or complex mechanical navigation systems, achieving precision through computation rather than physical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes standard preoperative CT and MRI scanners perform the additional function of providing navigation data by extracting anatomical landmarks and creating 3D models. This eliminates the need for separate, expensive navigation systems while achieving similar positioning precision through multi-functional use of existing equipment
3Manufacturing precision
If computer-assisted navigation systems are used, then implant positioning precision is improved, but training requirements and learning curve increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated algorithms that automatically identify anatomical landmarks, generate 3D models, and calculate implant positioning parameters without requiring manual measurement or complex system operation. The system performs the complex computational tasks automatically, reducing the skill barrier for surgeons while maintaining high positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs all complex image processing, landmark identification, and positioning calculation work during the preoperative planning phase. By the time of surgery, the optimal implant size and positioning are already determined, requiring minimal additional skill or training during the actual surgical procedure
4Device complexity
If traditional visual analysis techniques are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and consistency deteriorate due to reliance on surgeon experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual analysis with objective digital image processing algorithms. The system automatically measures anatomical dimensions, calculates implant sizing parameters, and generates positioning recommendations based on quantitative analysis of preoperative images, eliminating variability from surgeon experience while keeping the system relatively simple to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital replicas of patient anatomy that can be measured and analyzed repeatedly without variation. These digital models provide consistent reference measurements that eliminate the variability inherent in visual estimation, while the software tools remain intuitive and easy to use
5Loss of time
If preoperative digital templating is used for emergency cases, then implant sizing can be determined, but measurement precision fails due to absence of ball marker in hospital setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ball marker mechanical scaling system with digital image processing that uses anatomical landmarks inherent in the imaging data. This allows emergency cases to use standard hospital CT or MRI scanners without requiring external scaling devices, maintaining both speed and accuracy in emergency situations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital models from preoperative imaging that contain embedded anatomical reference structures. These digital copies preserve the true scale and proportions of patient anatomy through mathematical transformation, eliminating the need for physical ball markers while enabling rapid preoperative planning in emergency settings
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments pertain to systems to intraoperatively determine prosthetics (such as femoral stems) or a combination of prosthetics (such as a femoral stem used in combination with other prosthetics) that meet target parameters (such as leg length). The system may determine, for a patient, a plurality of leg lengths, where each leg length may correspond to a distinct digital prosthetic template in a set of digital prosthetic templates, and where each digital prosthetic template may be associated with a distinct prosthetic in a set of prosthetics. In response to a received target leg length for the patient, the system or method may determine prosthetics that when implanted in the patient would yield the target leg length and may display corresponding prosthetic information. The target length may be input using slider on a graphical user interface and the system may interactively update the prosthetics that would yield the target leg length.