Methods of selecting surgical implants and related devices
Inventors
Crawford, Neil • Davison, Andrew • Demski, David • Govey, Peter • Johnson, Norbert • Wolfe, Stephanie
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12471801-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods may be provided to identify a medical implant from a plurality of medical implants to be fixed to an anatomical surface. Dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants may be provided, and dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface may be provided. The dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants may be compared with the dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface, and one of the medical implants may be selected from the plurality of medical implants based on comparing the dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants with the dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface. An identification of the medical implant selected from the plurality of medical implants may be provided through a user interface. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for selecting an optimal bone plate among a plurality of bone plates to be fixed to an anatomical surface of a patient. The system uses a malleable template that is configured to be shaped to represent a three dimensional curve corresponding to an anatomical surface of a selected patient. The shaped template is positioned in an imaging cradle having a first surface and a second surface laterally positioned from the first surface, the first and second surfaces defining a resting area for the shaped template.
The system includes a camera for taking a first image of the resting template at a first angle associated with the first surface and a second image of the resting template at a second angle associated with the second surface. A computer generates a three dimensional contour of the shaped template based on the first and second images. The generated contour is then compared against stored three dimensional contours of a plurality of bone plates for optimal fit.
Based on the comparison, the computer selects one of the plurality of bone plates for fixation to the anatomical surface. The selection is grounded in the dimensional parameters represented by the generated three dimensional contour of the shaped template and the stored three dimensional contours of the candidate bone plates. The system further provides an implant identification of the selected bone plate to the surgeon, with embodiments including additional guidance such as bending recommendations.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an imaging-based workflow that captures a shaped malleable template from two angles, generates a three dimensional contour, compares that contour to stored three dimensional contours of candidate bone plates, and selects one bone plate based on the comparison. Dependent claims refine the claim coverage by adding database storage, coordinate/increment-based contour representations, a least-average-difference fit criterion, alignment verification using alignment markers, and adjustability of the malleable template via breakable segments.
Malleable template shaped to represent an anatomical three dimensional curve
A malleable template configured to be shaped to represent a three dimensional curve corresponding to an anatomical surface of a selected patient.
Imaging cradle with resting area for the shaped template
An imaging cradle having a first surface and a second surface laterally positioned from the first surface, the first and second surfaces defining a resting area for the shaped template.
Two-angle imaging to generate a three dimensional contour
A camera for taking a first image of the resting template at a first angle associated with the first surface and a second image of the resting template at a second angle associated with the second surface.
Three dimensional contour generation from the first and second images
A computer configured to generate a three dimensional contour of the shaped template based on the first and second images.
Comparison against stored three dimensional contours of bone plates
A computer configured to compare the generated three dimensional contour against stored three dimensional contours of a plurality of bone plates for optimal fit.
Selecting a bone plate based on the comparison
A computer configured to select one of the plurality of bone plates based on the comparison.
Database storing stored three dimensional contours for bone plates
A database that stores three-dimensional contours of multiple bone plates to define each bone plate’s shape.
Coordinate-value/increment contour comparison for fit evaluation
The system stores three dimensional contour coordinate values for each bone plate and compares those plate coordinate values to coordinate values of an anatomical surface using increments along each plate.
Selecting based on least average difference (mean distance)
The system calculates differences between coordinate values for an anatomical surface and those for each bone plate, and selects the bone plate with the least average difference.
Imaging alignment verification using alignment markers
The system includes an imaging cradle with alignment markers for two images and a computer that verifies the alignment of the two images using those markers.
Template adjustability with multiple breakable segments
The system is characterized by a malleable template that contains multiple breakable segments to adjust the template’s length.
Overall, the claim set covers a system that captures a patient-specific shaped malleable template from two angles using an imaging cradle and camera, generates a three dimensional contour from those images, and selects an optimal bone plate by comparing the generated contour to stored bone-plate contours. Dependent coverage further specifies the use of a database of bone-plate contours, coordinate/increment-based representations, a least-average-difference selection criterion, alignment verification using alignment markers, and breakable-segment adjustability of the malleable template.
Stated Advantages
Selects one of a plurality of bone plates based on a comparison for optimal fit.
Provides an implant identification of the selected bone plate for the surgeon.
Uses imaging alignment markers with alignment verification to address misaligned images.
Documented Applications
Selecting an optimal bone plate among a plurality of bone plates to be fixed to an anatomical surface of a patient.
Use of the system for patient-specific virtual fitting based on the shaped malleable template derived from imaging.
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