Patient-Specific Soft Tissue Location for Orthopedic Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tools and instruments used in orthopedic arthroplasty lack precision in selecting and positioning prosthetic components, and current preoperative planning technologies do not adequately account for patient-specific soft tissue anatomy, leading to potential inaccuracies and inefficiencies in surgery.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining patient-specific soft tissue location within a joint, utilizing medical imaging and databases to aid in the selection and creation of surgical jigs and prostheses, incorporating user interfaces, image processing, and anatomical geometry calculations to optimize fit and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional tools and instruments are used for prosthetic component selection and placement, then the surgical procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but precision in component positioning and sizing is compromised due to reliance on user judgment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision in component positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of preoperative planning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preoperative planning and soft tissue location determination before surgery, creating patient-specific anatomical models and measurements in advance. This preliminary action allows precise component selection and positioning planning to be completed beforehand, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative adjustments while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies and models of the patient's specific anatomy through imaging and measurement, including virtual models of bones and soft tissue structures. These digital copies enable precise preoperative planning and component sizing without requiring complex physical tools during surgery, as all measurements and decisions are made using the digital anatomical replicas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional templating methods are used in preoperative planning, then the process can be completed with standard procedures, but patient-specific soft tissue anatomy is not adequately accounted for, leading to potential inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of component fitVSAvoidtime for soft tissue location determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with automated image processing and computer-based analysis. Soft tissue locations are determined through digital image analysis and anatomical modeling rather than physical measurement during surgery, significantly reducing the time required while improving accuracy of component fit predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

All soft tissue location determination and anatomical measurements are completed during the preoperative planning phase using imaging data, rather than during the surgical procedure. This preliminary determination of soft tissue locations allows accurate component sizing and positioning to be established before surgery begins, eliminating time-consuming intraoperative measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If standardized prosthetic components are used, then the inventory and selection process can be simplified, but customization to individual patient anatomy is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization to patient anatomyVSAvoidcomplexity of component selection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines patient-specific soft tissue locations and anatomical characteristics for each individual patient through preoperative imaging and analysis. This local quality approach allows the surgical plan to be customized to the specific anatomical features of each patient's knee, including precise locations of ligaments and soft tissue structures, enabling better adaptation of standard components to individual anatomy without requiring custom-made implants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3324873B1System and method to locate soft tissue for preoperative planning
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ZIMMER INC
  • EP3324873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3324873B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP3324873B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Methods and systems for determining a patient specific soft tissue location within a joint are discussed. For example, a method can include imaging a target location for an orthopedic implant to collect image data regarding a morphology of the patient, the morphology including at least one of bone size and bone feature. The method can additionally include accessing stored soft tissue data and bone data corresponding to the target location of the orthopedic implant, locating a soft tissue of the patient based at least in part upon the soft tissue data and bone data and the image data, and displaying data including the location of the soft tissue of the patient. This data can be used to created patient specific surgical jigs according to one example of the present application.