Networked Platform for Custom Orthopaedic Implant Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for designing and manufacturing customized biomedical implants are inefficient due to reliance on oral or written communication, inconsistent diagnostic data, lack of collaboration between surgeons and manufacturers, and limited ability to track design iterations, which can lead to delays and suboptimal implant designs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables real-time collaboration between surgeons and manufacturers through a networked platform, allowing for the input and editing of implant designs, translation of edits into CAD systems, and tracking of design changes, using tools like slideable bars and forms for parameter input, and enabling the selection of standard or custom implant designs based on patient-specific data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional oral or written communication methods are used for implant design collaboration, then communication between surgeon and manufacturer can occur, but the process is time-consuming and causes delays in treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical communication methods (oral communication requiring scheduled appointments, written communication via postal service) with an electronic networked system. The web-based platform allows real-time digital exchange of design parameters, imaging data, and approval documents between surgeon and manufacturer, eliminating the time delays inherent in traditional communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated platform as an intermediary between the surgeon and manufacturer. This platform receives design parameters from the surgeon, automatically generates implant designs using CAD software, and manages the approval process. The intermediary automates routine communication tasks, significantly reducing the time required for design iteration and approval.
2Productivity
If automated CAD systems are used to generate implant designs from diagnostic data, then design speed is improved, but surgeon collaboration and design customization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic design process where the implant design can be iteratively adjusted based on surgeon feedback. The platform allows the surgeon to review the automatically generated design and request modifications, which are then processed through the same automated CAD system. This dynamic interaction maintains high design speed while preserving surgeon adaptability and customization input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the surgeon reviews the automated design output and provides corrections or approval. The platform tracks design iterations and communicates changes back to the surgeon. This feedback mechanism ensures that while automation drives speed, surgeon expertise and patient-specific requirements continue to guide the final design decisions.
3Extent of automation
If diagnostic data is used as the sole basis for implant design, then design automation is improved, but design accuracy and reliability are reduced due to data inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation of diagnostic data before it is used for automated design generation. The system checks data quality, consistency, and completeness before processing. This preliminary action prevents errors from propagating through the automated design process, maintaining both automation efficiency and design reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically detect and flag inconsistencies in diagnostic data, and in some cases, automatically correct common errors or request additional data from the surgeon. This self-service capability reduces reliance on perfectly consistent input data while maintaining high design accuracy through automated quality control.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard implants are used for treatment, then manufacturing and availability are improved, but fit and treatment effectiveness are reduced for complex fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the implant design process into two parts: standard implant components that can be manufactured using established processes, and customized geometric features that are generated automatically based on patient-specific anatomy. This segmentation allows the benefits of standard manufacturing to be combined with the precision of customized design, achieving both ease of manufacture and anatomic fit.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods and systems of customizing orthopaedic devices. The methods of some embodiments allow for receiving information about a surgical site of a patient, using the information about the surgical site to determine a surgical procedure step for creating an anatomic structure attribute, using information about the anatomic structure attribute to determine a custom attribute for an orthopaedic device, and manufacturing the orthopaedic device to include the custom attribute.