Joint Contact Position Parameter Determination Using 3D Bone Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack an efficient way to determine the six parameters of a contact position between two bones, which are essential for visualizing the range of motion and creating sample datasets for joints, especially when only a subset of parameters is given.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method that involves acquiring 3D models of the bones, selecting initial values for two missing parameters, and varying them virtually to achieve contact, using collision detection techniques and iterative searches to determine the remaining parameters, ensuring the bones are in contact while avoiding penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If collision detection techniques and iterative searches are used to determine the remaining parameters, then the accuracy of contact position determination is improved, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact position determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method selects initial values for the two missing parameters before performing collision detection, establishing a starting point that guides the iterative search process and reduces the computational space that needs to be explored

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The iterative search process uses feedback from collision detection results to adjust and refine the parameter values, continuously improving accuracy by learning from each iteration's outcome until contact is achieved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If iterative searches are performed to vary the two missing parameters, then the reliability of achieving contact without penetration is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact without penetration reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-validation through iterative collision detection, automatically adjusting parameters to ensure contact is achieved without penetration, making the process self-correcting and reliable without external intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If six parameters are determined for complete contact position definition, then the completeness of joint kinematic representation is improved, but the data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact position information completenessVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The six parameters are segmented into two given parameters and two missing parameters, allowing the system to work with known information first and then systematically determine the unknown parameters through targeted computational processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10163270B2Method for determining contact position parameters of a joint connecting two bones

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 SMITH & NEPHEW INC

AI summary

A data processing method for determining six parameters, corresponding to six degrees of freedom, of a contact position of a joint which connects two bones, comprising the steps of acquiring a 3D model of each bone, acquiring four of the six parameters as a given parameters, selecting initial values for the two remaining parameters and varying the two remaining parameters virtually in order to achieve a virtual relative position between the two 3D models such that they are in contact with each other.