Orthopedic Implant–Bone Modeling for Patient-Specific Loosening Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finite element-based methods for assessing the interconnection between orthopaedic implants and bone tissue fail to translate into improved patient care due to the lack of consideration of location-specific material properties of the bone tissue and limited assessment of critical loading vectors, leading to inefficiencies in predicting pedicle screw loosening.
Innovation Solution
A method that extracts location-specific material properties from pre- and/or post-operative images, generates 3D-Finite Element Models with orthopaedic and bone tissue elements, applies external loads according to critical vectors, and determines internal stresses to assess the risk of implant loosening, using AI and musculoskeletal models for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If finite element methods are used to assess interconnection between orthopaedic implants and bone tissue, then assessment capability is provided, but the method fails to translate into improved patient care due to lack of location-specific material properties consideration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by extracting and applying location-specific material properties from medical images to different regions of the bone tissue in the finite element model. Each element or region is assigned material properties (such as density, elastic modulus, strength) that reflect the actual variation in bone quality at that specific location, rather than using uniform average values. This enables the assessment to accurately reflect patient-specific biomechanical conditions and predict loosening risk with higher precision.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive finite element modeling is performed to assess critical loading vectors, then assessment accuracy is improved, but computational resources and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing material properties from medical images before the actual finite element analysis. The segmentation and material property extraction are performed in advance, creating a prepared model that can be quickly analyzed. Additionally, the system pre-identifies critical loading vectors and assesses them systematically, reducing the need for exhaustive real-time computations while maintaining comprehensive assessment accuracy.
3Reliability
If location-specific material properties are extracted and applied to finite element models, then prediction of pedicle screw loosening is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that automatically extracts material properties from medical images and maps them to the finite element model. This intermediary system includes automated segmentation algorithms and material property databases that translate image data into model parameters. By using this intermediary approach, the complexity of creating location-specific models is reduced, as the system handles the complex mapping and property assignment automatically rather than requiring manual intervention for each element.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer implemented method, computing device, system and computer pro-gram product for assessment of interconnection(s) between orthopaedic implant(s) and a bone tissue(s) by: extracting location specific material properties of the bone tissue(s) from pre- and/or post-operative images; generating a 3D-Finite Element Model comprising first finite elements representing the orthopaedic implant interconnected to the bone tissue(s), and second finite elements representing at least part of the bone tissue(s) surrounding the orthopaedic implant; applying the location-specific material properties to the second finite elements; applying at least one external load to the one or more of the first finite elements; determining internal stresses of the 3D-Finite Element Model; and outputting an assessment of the interconnection between orthopaedic implant(s) and the bone tissue(s) based on the determining internal stresses.