Automated transosseous element planning for orthopedic devices

Inventors

Janda, Haden • Denmon, Christin • Cranford, Luke

Assignees

Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG • Smith and Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd • Smith and Nephew Inc

Abstract

A method including: determining a configuration for an orthopedic device to attach with bone segments, the orthopedic device including a proximal ring, a distal ring, and adjustable struts interconnecting the proximal ring and the distal ring; receiving input data for anatomy and boundaries for attachment of the orthopedic device with the bone segments; receiving input data for a level and a position for the proximal ring; determining a number and type of the transosseous elements for attachment of the orthopedic device; determining a final level and position for the distal ring; accessing a data structure including fixations for the transosseous elements; accessing a data structure including reference levels and positions for attachment of transosseous elements to the bone segments; and automatically determining levels and positions for the transosseous elements and the distal ring to avoid impingement of fixations and transosseous elements with struts of the orthopedic device.

Core Innovation

The invention provides an automated, computer-implemented workflow for preoperative planning of external-fixator transosseous fixation. The system determines an orthopedic device configuration that includes a proximal ring, a distal ring, and adjustable struts interconnecting the proximal ring and the distal ring from input anatomy and boundaries for attachment with bone segments. It receives an input level and position for the proximal ring and determines a number and type of transosseous elements to attach the orthopedic device to the bone segments.

The workflow computes a distal ring final level and position after completing a prescription for the orthopedic device. It accesses a first data structure comprising fixations to attach the transosseous elements with the orthopedic device, and a second data structure comprising reference levels and positions for attachment of the transosseous elements to the bone segments. Based on the orthopedic device configuration, it automatically determines levels and positions for the transosseous elements and the distal ring.

A key aspect of the automated determination is avoiding impingement during distal-ring transition along correction paths. The system assigns transosseous element and distal-ring levels and positions to avoid impingement with fixations and adjustable struts throughout the distal-ring transition along correction paths, including by using reference and safe attachment levels and positions. The workflow is further described as optionally interactive, including impingement analysis tied to soft tissue and neurovascular safety boundaries.

Claims Coverage

Three independent claims are present: a method, a computer-readable storage medium, and an apparatus. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on automatically determining levels and positions for transosseous elements and a distal ring using an orthopedic device configuration (proximal ring, distal ring, adjustable struts), input anatomy and attachment boundaries, proximal-ring placement, transosseous element selection, and stored reference data structures.

Collectively, the independent claims cover computing transosseous-element levels and positions together with a distal-ring final level and position for an external-fixator configuration using stored fixations and reference levels/positions, driven by anatomy/boundaries input and a received proximal-ring placement. Dependent claims further narrow placement behavior, including impingement-avoidance constraints during distal-ring transition based on correction paths derived from a prescription.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications