Virtual Prosthetic Implant Planning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for planning orthopedic prosthesis implantation in knee arthroplasty are limited by the surgeon's skill and experience, leading to potential inaccuracies in selecting the correct size and position of the prosthesis, which can result in notches or inefficiencies in bone resection, and are time-consuming, especially during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize pre-defined form factor information for various implants and surface shape data of the bone to perform virtual fit assessments at incremental positions, automatically selecting an optimal implant size and position to minimize notching and ensure a precise fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a surgeon manually selects implant size and position based on skill and experience, then the process can be completed with simple tools, but the accuracy of implant placement is limited and may result in notches or inefficiencies in bone resection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer-based virtual planning system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the implant selection process. The system includes software that creates a three-dimensional map of the patient's bone and allows virtual trial of different implant sizes and positions, providing objective feedback on fit quality and identifying potential notching issues before actual surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or digital replica of the patient's actual bone anatomy through surface mapping techniques. This virtual model allows the surgeon to test implant placements without affecting the actual bone, enabling precise measurement and evaluation of fit quality, contact area, and potential notching risks.
2Productivity
If a surgeon performs trial-and-error visual adjustment of prosthesis position, then flexibility in planning is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the time-consuming virtual fit assessment, surface mapping, and implant selection process before the actual surgery takes place. By completing the planning phase in advance using the computer system, the surgeon avoids time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments during the surgical procedure itself, thereby improving surgical efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If traditional visual comparison methods are used to select implant size, then the process is simple to perform, but the precision of size selection is limited by surgeon experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual comparison method with an automated computer-based measurement and assessment system. The software objectively calculates fit quality metrics, contact area percentages, and notching risks based on the virtual implant placement and bone geometry, eliminating subjective visual estimation while maintaining user-friendly operation through graphical interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.