Computer-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring parameters in joint replacement surgeries, such as leg length, offset, and anterior/posterior position, are inaccurate and unreliable due to manual measurements, leading to potential misalignment of prosthetic joints and subsequent post-operative complications like discomfort and dislocation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a processor to estimate pre- and post-operative positions of the hip joint's center of rotation, allowing for virtual positioning of mechanical and epicondyle axes to determine changes in joint parameters, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurements using rulers and gauges are used to measure leg length, offset, and anterior/posterior position, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision and reliability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools (rulers and gauges) with a computer-assisted surgical navigation system that uses electronic tracking of anatomical landmarks. The system calculates joint parameters through computer processing of tracked positions, eliminating the need for physical measuring instruments and significantly improving measurement precision while providing objective, repeatable results.
2Measurement precision
If conventional computer-assisted techniques are used to track bone positions and calculate joint parameters, then the speed and precision of measurements are improved, but the accuracy depends on the surgeon's ability to manually position the femur, introducing human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the pre-operative femur position and uses computer algorithms to automatically calculate where this virtual femur should be positioned relative to the pelvis. Instead of relying on the surgeon's manual positioning, the system virtually positions the femur based on tracked anatomical landmarks and computes joint parameters from this virtual positioning, eliminating human error in the positioning process.
3Productivity
If the surgeon manually positions the femur after implantation to match the pre-operative plan, then the surgical process can proceed, but positioning errors lead to inaccurate joint parameter measurements and potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer-assisted system continuously monitors the position of anatomical landmarks and the implanted components. The system provides real-time feedback to the surgeon about the actual joint parameters (leg length, offset, anterior/posterior position) compared to the pre-operative plan, enabling immediate detection and correction of positioning errors while the surgery is in progress.
4Reliability
If multiple manual measurements are performed to verify joint parameters, then the reliability of measurements may improve, but the time required for the surgical procedure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement of joint parameters throughout the surgical procedure using the computer-assisted navigation system. Instead of performing discrete, time-consuming manual measurements at various stages, the system continuously tracks anatomical landmarks and calculates joint parameters in real-time, providing ongoing verification of alignment without interrupting the surgical flow or requiring additional measurement steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-assisted surgery system includes a display, an input device configured to receive data input by a user, and a processor, coupled to the input device and the display. The processor is configured to establish a first position of a pre-operative center of rotation of a joint in a first coordinate space of a first bone and a second coordinate space of a second bone and establish a second position of the pre-operative center of rotation of the joint in the first coordinate space, wherein the second position is a projection into the first coordinate space of the position of the pre-operative center of rotation maintained in a constant position in the second coordinate space. The processor is further configured to determine a change in a parameter associated with the joint based on the first and second positions and output a result indicating the determined change to the display.