Pre-degenerated Bone Model for Customized Arthroplasty Jig Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing customized arthroplasty jigs are inefficient and labor-intensive, relying on manual manipulation of bone models on a computer screen, which increases time, manpower, and costs, and may not achieve optimal accuracy in implant alignment during joint replacement surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating customized arthroplasty jigs that involve creating a computerized bone model of a patient's joint in its pre-degenerated state, using imaging data to restore the joint to its natural alignment, and producing manufacturing instructions for the jig, allowing for precise alignment and orientation of prosthetic implants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual manipulation of bone models on computer screen is used to determine jig configurations, then flexibility in customization is achieved, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization flexibilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated analysis of bone models to pre-determine optimal jig configurations before manual review. By automatically calculating alignment parameters and generating initial jig designs based on imaging data, the system prepares advance configurations that reduce the time required for manual manipulation while maintaining customization flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of bone models with an automated computerized system that uses algorithms to analyze imaging data and generate jig configurations. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated computational processes significantly reduces time consumption while preserving the ability to customize jig designs for individual patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual manipulation of bone models is used, then expert judgment can be applied, but manufacturing precision and accuracy of implant alignment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpert judgmentVSAvoidimplant alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback loops where automated analysis results are reviewed and refined by experts, and vice versa. The automated system provides objective measurement data and alignment calculations that feed into the expert review process, while expert judgments can adjust and refine automated configurations. This bidirectional feedback ensures both manufacturing precision through automated accuracy and reliability through expert oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges automated computational analysis with expert clinical judgment into a unified hybrid system. The automated component provides precise measurements and objective alignment parameters, while the expert component contributes clinical experience and judgment. By combining these two approaches, the system achieves both high manufacturing precision from automation and reliable expert judgment, eliminating the trade-off between the two.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If customized arthroplasty jigs are produced using automated systems, then productivity increases, but device complexity and initial setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejig manufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is designed with universal components and standardized interfaces that can handle multiple types of bone models and imaging data formats. By creating a multi-functional platform that can process various joint types and configurations through the same core architecture, the system increases productivity across different applications while limiting the growth of complexity through reusability and standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10251707B2Generation of a computerized bone model representative of a pre-degenerated state and useable in the design and manufacture of arthroplasty devices

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP

AI summary

A method of generating a computerized bone model representative of at least a portion of a patient bone in a pre-degenerated state. The method includes: generating at least one image of the patient bone in a degenerated state; identifying a reference portion associated with a generally non-degenerated portion of the patient bone; identifying a degenerated portion associated with a generally degenerated portion of the patient bone; and using information from at least one image associated with the reference portion to modify at least one aspect associated with at least one image associated the generally degenerated portion. The method may further include employing the computerized bone model representative of the at least a portion of the patient bone in the pre-degenerated state in defining manufacturing instructions for the manufacture of a customized arthroplasty jig.