Patella tracking method and system
Inventors
Dees, Jr., Roger Ryan • Nikou, Constantinos • Jaramaz, Branislav
Assignees
Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG • Smith and Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd • Smith and Nephew Inc
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Publication Number
US-12453599-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A computer-implemented method of improving a patello-femoral response is described. A computing system characterizes an anterior geometry of a patella and determines a position of a posterior apex of the patella in relation to one or more features of the anterior geometry of the patella. The computing system further receives location information related to the patella as a knee joint is moved through a range of motion. The computing system provides one or more recommendations to improve a patello-femoral response.
Core Innovation
A computer-implemented method improves a patello-femoral response in knee arthroplasty by characterizing an anterior geometry of a patella using a probe tracking system. The method receives a plurality of locations of a probe as the probe is moved across an anterior surface of the patella, and stores position information regarding the plurality of locations to form the anterior geometry of the patella.
The method determines a position of a posterior apex of the patella in relation to one or more features of the anterior geometry of the patella. It further receives location information related to the patella as a knee joint is moved through a range of motion, with the location information collected as the patella location at multiple discrete knee flexion increments, and stored for each increment.
The method provides one or more recommendations to improve a patello-femoral response by using a model of predicted post-surgery patella movement. The recommendations are generated by modeling predicted post-surgery patella movement information, harmonizing the predicted post-surgery patella movement information with measured location information, and updating a surgical plan to achieve the harmonization.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim (clm-00001). Across dependent claims, the coverage refines the determination of posterior apex position, the collection and validation of patella location information over the knee joint range of motion, and the generation and use of recommendations to update a surgical plan to reduce post-surgery patellar offset.
Anterior geometry characterization using probe tracking
Receiving, by a probe tracking system, a plurality of locations of a probe as the probe is moved across an anterior surface of the patella; and storing position information regarding the plurality of locations to form the anterior geometry of the patella.
Posterior apex position relative to anterior features
Determining a position of a posterior apex of the patella in relation to one or more features of the anterior geometry of the patella.
Patella location across knee range of motion
Receiving location information related to the patella as a knee joint is moved through a range of motion.
Discrete flexion increments for patella location information
Receiving location information related to the patella by detecting the location of the patella at multiple discrete increments of flexion of the knee joint and storing the detected location for each discrete increment.
Data sufficiency for defining patella motion
Determining whether the received location information includes a minimum number of data points to define patella motion within a specified degree of error, and detecting the patella location at one or more supplementary discrete increments if the minimum number of data points is not present.
Prediction, comparison, and surgical plan update
Providing one or more recommendations by modeling predicted post-surgery patella movement information, comparing the predicted post-surgery patella movement information to the location information, and updating a surgical plan to harmonize the location information and the predicted post-surgery patella movement information.
Reducing post-surgery patellar offset and curved-tip probe
Providing recommendations that reduce post-surgery patellar offset, wherein the probe includes a curved tip.
Overall, the claim set focuses on characterizing anterior patella geometry with probe tracking, determining a posterior apex position relative to anterior geometric features, collecting patella location through knee range of motion, and generating recommendations by modeling predicted post-surgery patella movement and harmonizing it with measured motion via a surgical plan update to reduce post-surgery patellar offset.
Stated Advantages
Improves a patello-femoral response.
Recommendations reduce post-surgery patellar offset.
Documented Applications
Computer-assisted knee arthroplasty context for improving patello-femoral response by characterizing patella geometry and updating a surgical plan to harmonize predicted post-surgery patella movement with measured patella location information.
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