Patient-Specific Pedicle Screw Rod Shape from 3D Spine Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bending rods during spinal fusion surgeries are cumbersome and difficult to perform accurately, requiring significant time and expertise, as they rely on freehand adjustments without precise consideration of patient-specific anatomical parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-operative planning using bidimensional and tridimensional imaging, segmentation, and virtual modeling to calculate a patient-specific rod shape, incorporating spino-pelvic parameters and screw placements, ensuring optimal curvature and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If freehand rod bending is performed during surgery, then the rod can be adapted to patient anatomy, but the surgical time increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs pre-operative planning and rod shape calculation before surgery using patient-specific imaging data (CT or MRI). The optimal rod curvature and screw positions are determined in advance through virtual modeling, allowing the rod to be pre-bent or 3D-printed with the exact required shape, eliminating time-consuming intraoperative bending while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's spine anatomy through imaging and segmentation to simulate and calculate the optimal rod shape in silico. This digital twin approach allows precise determination of rod curvature without requiring physical trial-and-error bending during surgery
2Adaptability or versatility
If freehand rod bending is performed during surgery, then the rod can be adapted to patient anatomy, but the difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical skill of freehand rod bending with an automated computational system. Software algorithms automatically calculate the optimal rod curvature based on patient anatomy and screw positions, eliminating the need for surgeon expertise in manual bending techniques while maintaining high adaptability to individual patient needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational model and virtual planning software as an intermediary between patient anatomy and the physical rod. This intermediary automatically translates anatomical data into precise rod bending parameters, removing the complexity of manual judgment and skill required for freehand bending
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for calculating the shape of a rod of a pedicle screw system comprising: a) acquiring (10) at least one bidimensional image of a spine; b) acquiring (20) a tridimensional image of a spine; c) obtaining (30; 40, 50) a tridimensional model of the spine; d) performing (60) a sagittal balance analysis to calculate spino pelvic parameters and comparing them with predetermined values; e) applying (70) corrections to the tridimensional model; f) calculating (80) corrected spino pelvic parameters on the tridimensional model of the spine corrected and checking if they are within the predetermined range values, g) in negative case, repeating steps e) – f); i) in positive case, obtaining (90) a tridimensional corrected model of the spine based on such tridimensional simulated corrections including a plurality of virtual screw; j) calculating (100) the shape of the rod as mathematical function which approximates the curve passing through the virtual screw.