Patient-Specific Interbody Implants for Vertebral Fit and Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional orthopedic implants, particularly interbody implants used in spinal fusion surgeries, often fail to provide an optimal fit due to insufficient contact and load transfer between the implant and vertebrae, leading to inadequate fixation, micro- and macro-motions, and increased risk of implant failure, as they are typically selected intraoperatively from a limited set of standard sizes and shapes without consideration for individual patient anatomy.
Innovation Solution
Patient-specific interbody implants are designed using preoperative imaging and surgical planning software to accurately match the negative space between vertebrae, incorporating personalized geometry and internal features for optimal fit and bone integration, reducing the need for intraoperative trialing and minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If standard sizes and shapes of implants are used, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but implant fit and fixation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preoperative planning and virtual implant placement before surgery to determine the optimal implant configuration. This preliminary action allows customization of implant geometry to match the patient's specific anatomy, resolving the contradiction between standardization and customization by preparing the custom implant design in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies implant parameters such as size, shape, and geometry based on patient-specific anatomical measurements obtained from imaging data. By changing these parameters according to individual patient needs, the system achieves optimal fit while managing complexity through systematic parameter adjustment rather than complete redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stock implant sizes are delivered to surgery, then implant selection flexibility is improved, but radiation exposure and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the optimal implant size and configuration during preoperative planning, eliminating the need for intraoperative trialing of multiple implant sizes. This preliminary determination of implant parameters reduces surgical time and radiation exposure while maintaining adaptability through patient-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the specifically required implant from a pre-determined configuration, eliminating the need to deliver and trial multiple stock implant sizes during surgery. This extraction of the single optimal implant solution reduces surgical complexity, time, and radiation exposure.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard implant geometry is used, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but contact area and load transfer capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system customizes the implant geometry to match the local anatomical characteristics of the patient's vertebrae, optimizing the contact area and load transfer capability at each specific interface. This local customization improves strength and fixation while maintaining ease of manufacture through systematic design approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts implant geometric parameters such as size, shape, and surface characteristics based on patient-specific measurements to optimize load transfer capability. These parameter changes are made systematically based on anatomical data, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while improving mechanical performance.
4Reliability
If patient-specific implant design is implemented, then implant fit and fixation are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive preoperative planning and virtual implant placement to determine the optimal patient-specific implant configuration before manufacturing. This preliminary design phase captures all necessary anatomical information and design parameters, reducing the complexity of the manufacturing process by preparing complete design specifications in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model or digital twin of the patient's anatomy from imaging data, which serves as a template for designing the custom implant. This copying approach simplifies the design process by working with a digital representation rather than direct physical measurements, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method for manufacturing an orthopedic implant involves segmenting features in an image of anatomy. Anatomic elements can be isolated. Spatial relationships between the isolated anatomic elements can be manipulated. Negative space between anatomic elements is mapped before and/or after manipulating the spatial relationships. At least a portion of the negative space can be filled with a virtual implant. The virtual implant can be used to design and manufacture a physical implant.