Mixed-Reality Humeral Head Sizing for Precise Implant Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical procedures for joint replacement face challenges in accurately selecting and aligning prosthetic implants, leading to potential complications such as bone fractures, cosmetic deformities, and prolonged recovery times due to misfitting implants.

Innovation Solution

A mixed reality (MR) visualization system is used to guide surgeons by determining implant size and alignment relative to the resected bone surface, allowing for precise selection and alignment of prosthetic devices through graphical representations and interactive manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional surgical methods are used for implant selection and alignment, then the surgical procedure is simpler to perform, but the accuracy of implant fitting deteriorates leading to complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant sizing accuracyVSAvoidsurgical guidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy through 3D imaging and reconstruction, allowing the surgeon to plan and visualize implant placement on a digital model before actual surgery. This virtual replica enables precise measurement and implant selection without requiring complex physical guidance devices during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement tools and physical surgical guides with image processing algorithms and computational methods. The system uses software-based solutions to determine implant size and alignment, substituting mechanical measurement systems with digital image analysis and 3D reconstruction techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional surgical methods are used for implant alignment, then the surgical procedure is faster to perform, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates causing bone fractures and deformities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant alignment precisionVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs comprehensive implant sizing and alignment planning before the actual surgical procedure. The system processes imaging data, reconstructs 3D anatomy, and determines optimal implant parameters in advance, allowing the surgeon to simply execute the pre-planned alignment during surgery without time-consuming intraoperative measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses virtual reality and 3D visualization to create a digital model of the implant and its precise placement on the patient's anatomy. This virtual prototype allows the surgeon to verify alignment and positioning accuracy before making actual incisions, ensuring precise manufacturing-level alignment without extending surgical time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If implant size is not accurately determined, then the surgical procedure is quicker, but complications such as bone fractures and cosmetic deformities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical outcome reliabilityVSAvoidimplant selection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual models of different implant sizes and tests their fit on the patient's reconstructed anatomy before selection. This digital prototyping allows comprehensive evaluation of multiple implant options without physical trial-and-error, ensuring reliable outcome selection while keeping the system manageable through software-based virtual testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical measurement tools and manual implant selection methods with automated image processing and computational analysis. The system uses algorithms to determine optimal implant size based on 3D anatomical measurements, substituting mechanical measurement systems with reliable digital calculations that reduce human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If visual guidance is not used during surgery, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the accuracy of implant placement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses augmented reality to overlay virtual images of the implant and anatomical structures directly onto the surgeon's field of view during surgery. This visual copy of the planned placement guides the surgeon's hands in real-time, providing intuitive visual feedback without requiring complex mechanical guidance devices or disrupting the natural surgical flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12496135B2Mixed-reality humeral-head sizing and placement

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

Techniques are described for guiding a joint replacement surgery. In some examples, a system includes a visualization device comprising one or more sensors; and processing circuitry configured to determine, based on data generated by the one or more sensors, one or more size parameters of a bone resection surface viewable via the visualization device; select, based on the one or more size parameters of the bone resection surface and from a plurality of implants, an implant; and output for display, via the visualization device, a graphical representation of the selected implant relative to the bone resection surface.