Patient-Specific Interbody Implant Design for Precise Fit and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic implants, particularly interbody implants, often fail to provide an optimal fit and alignment for individual patient anatomies, leading to suboptimal surgical outcomes, increased radiation exposure during intraoperative imaging, and logistical burdens due to the need for a wide variety of stock implants.
Innovation Solution
Patient-specific interbody implants are designed using preoperative imaging and planning software to match the unique anatomical characteristics of each patient, minimizing radiation exposure and optimizing fit and alignment through virtual manipulation of vertebrae positions, followed by additive manufacturing to create customized implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard mechanical properties, sizes or shapes (stock implants) are used for most implant solutions, then manufacturing and logistics are simplified, but the implant fit and alignment for individual patient anatomies becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining patient-specific anatomical data through preoperative imaging (CT or MRI scans) and using planning software to design the optimal implant configuration before surgery. This allows the implant to be customized to match the patient's unique anatomy, improving fit and alignment while avoiding the need for intraoperative adjustments and reducing radiation exposure from intraoperative imaging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wide variety of stock implants are maintained to accommodate different patient anatomies, then implant adaptability is improved, but logistical burdens and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by creating implants with site-specific characteristics tailored to each patient's anatomy at the implantation site. Rather than maintaining a wide inventory of stock implants with different sizes and shapes, the system designs and manufactures a single custom implant that precisely matches the patient's unique anatomical features, eliminating the need for extensive implant inventories and simplifying logistics.
3Measurement precision
If intraoperative imaging is used to verify implant placement, then measurement precision is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the measurement and verification function in advance during the preoperative planning phase using CT or MRI imaging to create a 3D model of the patient's anatomy and simulate implant placement. This preliminary action allows for precise measurement and verification of implant positioning without requiring additional intraoperative imaging, thereby eliminating unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method for manufacturing an orthopedic implant involves analyzing tissue characteristics based on image data of anatomy. Image data of a patient can be analyzed to identify at least one tissue characteristic at different locations along anatomic elements of anatomy of interest. A patient-specific implant configuration can be determined based on the analysis of the image data of a patient.