Virtual Screw Trajectory Assessment for Spinal Implant Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assessing spinal column integrity and suitability of spinal implants are subjective, time-consuming, and lack objective data for determining the risk of iatrogenic instability and implant effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system using image data to virtually simulate the insertion of spinal implants, perform loading simulations, and assess suitability based on patient-specific bony anatomy properties, such as rigidity and bone density, to determine optimal implant placement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional subjective methods are used to assess spinal implant suitability, then surgeon experience and judgment are utilized, but the assessment is time-consuming and lacks objectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective surgeon assessment with an automated computer-based system that processes medical images and performs finite element analysis. The system automatically determines bone density, simulates implant placement, and evaluates stability outcomes without requiring manual surgeon measurement and judgment, thereby providing objective results while reducing assessment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's spinal anatomy through image processing and finite element modeling. This digital replica allows for repeated virtual implantations and stability assessments without affecting the actual patient, enabling rapid iterative evaluation of different implant scenarios while maintaining complete objectivity.
2Reliability
If virtual simulation and loading analysis are performed to assess implant suitability, then objective assessment is provided, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of medical images to automatically segment spinal anatomy and determine bone density properties before implant simulation. The system pre-calculates material properties and geometric parameters from CT or MRI scans, creating a prepared finite element model that ready the computational framework for subsequent implant loading analyses, thereby reducing overall computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal finite element analysis platform that can evaluate multiple implant types, trajectories, and loading scenarios within a single integrated system. The same computational framework handles diverse implant geometries, material properties, and boundary conditions, eliminating the need for separate specialized analyses and reducing system complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assessing spinal implants includes at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to receive first image data of a spinal column of a patient, determine, based on the first image data, a property of first bony anatomy in at least a first portion of the spinal column, determine, based on the property of the first bony anatomy, an initial screw trajectory for inserting a screw into the spinal column, virtually insert the screw along the initial screw trajectory using the first image data to generate modified first image data, perform an initial loading simulation for the virtually inserted screw using the modified first image data, and determine, based on the initial loading simulation, a suitability of the initial screw trajectory for implanting the screw into the spinal column.