Patient-Specific Orthopedic Implants for Abnormal Bone Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic implant technologies face challenges in creating patient-specific and mass-customized solutions that accurately match individual anatomical variations, particularly in cases of deformed, shattered, or missing bones, leading to suboptimal fit and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating patient-specific and mass-customized orthopedic implants by comparing abnormal bone models with reconstructed models, optimizing parameters, and creating electronic design files for customized implants using data from statistical atlases and imaging techniques like MRI, CT, and X-ray images, ensuring precise fit and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional orthopedic implant technologies are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the fit and functionality for individual anatomical variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating virtual 3D models of patient anatomy from imaging data (CT, MRI, X-ray) before the actual implant manufacturing process. These digital models are used to plan and optimize implant fit, allowing corrections and adjustments to be made in the virtual environment before physical production, thereby improving fit accuracy while managing complexity through pre-computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates accurate digital copies (virtual 3D models) of patient-specific anatomy that can be manipulated, measured, and used for implant design without requiring direct physical manipulation of the patient's bone structure. These digital replicas enable precise customization of implants to match individual anatomical variations while streamlining the manufacturing process through computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
2Manufacturing precision
If patient-specific customization is implemented, then anatomical match accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical measurement and fitting methods with computer-based digital modeling and automated manufacturing processes. Virtual 3D models substitute for physical measuring tools and manual implant fitting, enabling rapid iteration and optimization of implant designs. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems automatically translate digital designs into manufacturing instructions, significantly reducing manual labor time while maintaining high anatomical match accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive anatomical data analysis is performed, then implant design accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of anatomical analysis into distinct modular components: image acquisition (CT, MRI, X-ray), 3D model generation, measurement extraction, and implant design. Each module handles a specific aspect of the data processing pipeline, making the overall complex process more manageable and systematic. This segmentation allows for specialized algorithms to be applied to each stage, improving measurement precision while organizing complexity into manageable segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of constructing a patient-specific orthopedic implant comprising: (a) comparing a patient-specific abnormal bone model, derived from an actual anatomy of a patient's abnormal bone, with a reconstructed patient-specific bone model, also derived from the anatomy of the patient's bone, where the reconstructed patient-specific bone model reflects a normalized anatomy of the patient's bone, and where the patient-specific abnormal bone model reflects an actual anatomy of the patient's bone including at least one of a partial bone, a deformed bone, and a shattered bone, wherein the patient-specific abnormal bone model comprises at least one of a patient-specific abnormal point cloud and a patient-specific abnormal bone surface model, and wherein the reconstructed patient-specific bone model comprises at least one of a reconstructed patient-specific point cloud and a reconstructed patient-specific bone surface model; (b) optimizing one or more parameters for a patient-specific orthopedic implant to be mounted to the patient's abnormal bone using data output from comparing the patient-specific abnormal bone model to the reconstructed patient-specific bone model; and, (c) generating an electronic design file for the patient-specific orthopedic implant taking into account the one or more parameters.