METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR SHAPING MEDICAL IMPLANTS DIRECTLY FROM VIRTUAL REALITY MODELS
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for shaping a medical implant from a virtual reality model, the method comprising:
- accessing input data including digital information specific to a patient;
producing a virtual reality model from the input data, the virtual reality model including a digital representation of an anatomical structure of the patient;
receiving operator input to reshape at least one of the virtual reality model or a virtual medical implant positioned within the virtual reality model; and
applying an additive manufacturing technique to fabricate the medical implant from data representing the virtual medical implant.
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Abstract
A virtual interactive environment enables a surgeon or other medical professional to manipulate implants, prostheses, or other instruments using patient-specific data from virtual reality models. The patient data includes a combination of volumetric data, surface data, and fused images from various sources (e.g., CT, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound, laser interferometry, PET, etc.). The patient data is visualized to permit a surgeon to manipulate a virtual image of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, the implant, or both, until the implant is ideally positioned within the virtual model as the surgeon would position a physical implant in actual surgery. Thus, the interactive tools can simulate changes in an anatomical structure (e.g., bones or soft tissue), and their effects on the external, visual appearance of the patient. CAM software is executed to fabricate the implant, such that it is customized for the patient without having to modify the structures during surgery or to produce a better fit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for shaping a medical implant from a virtual reality model, the method comprising:
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accessing input data including digital information specific to a patient; producing a virtual reality model from the input data, the virtual reality model including a digital representation of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving operator input to reshape at least one of the virtual reality model or a virtual medical implant positioned within the virtual reality model; and applying an additive manufacturing technique to fabricate the medical implant from data representing the virtual medical implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6)
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5. The method of claim L, wherein receiving operator input comprises:
receiving input over a haptic user interface to reshape at least one of the virtual reality model or the virtual implant.
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7. A computer-implemented method for shaping a medical implant from a virtual reality model, the method comprising:
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accessing input data including digital information specific to a patient; receiving from a remote source an implant modeling application for causing a computer to render a virtual reality model from the input data, the virtual reality model including a digital representation of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving operator input to reshape at least one of the virtual reality model or a virtual implant positioned within the virtual reality model; and sending instructions to a CAM application to cause a machine to execute an additive manufacturing technique to fabricate the medical implant from data representing the virtual implant. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code functions embedded in the medium for causing one or more computers to shape a medical implant from a virtual reality model, the computer program product comprising:
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a first computer readable program code function that causes a computer to access input data including digital information specific to a patient; a second computer readable program code function that causes a computer to produce a virtual reality model from the input data, wherein the virtual reality model includes a digital representation of an anatomical structure of the patient; a third computer readable program code function that causes a computer to receive operator input to reshape at least one of the virtual reality model or a virtual implant positioned within the virtual reality model; and a fourth computer readable program code function that causes a computer to apply an additive manufacturing technique to fabricate the medical implant from data representing the virtual implant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification