COMPUTER-GUIDED SYSTEM FOR ORIENTING THE ACETABULAR CUP IN THE PELVIS DURING TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

• US 20090289806A1
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Thornberry
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Thornberry
• Inventors: Thornberry, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30008 Bone
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/77 using statistical methods

Abstract

A method for determining the orientation of a first object in space, wherein the first object is interactive with a second object, the method comprising the steps of:

• • using kinematic action to generate a first data set reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and
  • comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.

Claims

1. A method for determining the orientation of a first object in space, wherein the first object is interactive with a second object, the method comprising the steps of:

using kinematic action to generate a first data set reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and

comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the kinematic action comprises moving the second object relative to the first object so that the second object dynamically engages the first object at a plurality of impingement locations.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the first data set reflects the range of motion permitted between the second object and the first object given the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the second object is configured so as to yield a different, and unique, first data set for each possible spatial relationship which may exist between the first object and the second object.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the database of known data sets comprises data sets generated by at least one of the group consisting of:

(i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets is conducted using at least one from the group consisting of:

(i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein the first data set comprises a data cloud.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the database of known data sets comprises data clouds generated by at least one from the group consisting of:

(i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of comparing the first data cloud with a database of known data clouds is conducted using at least one from the group consisting of:

(i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space includes comparing the first data set with a second data set reflecting the desired orientation of the first object in space.

11. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

adjusting the current orientation of the first object with a device mounted to the second object.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first object and the second object comprises a component of a joint.

30. A method according to claim 1 wherein the kinematic action comprises moving at least one of the first object and the second object relative to a fixed frame of reference.

15. A system for determining the orientation of a first object in space wherein the first object is interactive with a second object, the system comprising:

apparatus configured to use kinematic action to generate a first data set reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and

apparatus for comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.

13. A method according to claim 15 wherein the first object comprises an acetabular cup disposed in the pelvis.

14. A method according to claim 15 wherein the second object comprises an element mounted to the femur.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the kinematic action comprises moving the second object relative to the first object so that it dynamically engages the first object at a plurality of impingement locations.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the first data set reflects the range of motion permitted between the second object and the first object given the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.

18. A system according to claim 16 wherein the second object is configured so as to yield a different, and unique, first data set for each possible spatial relationship which may exist between the first object and the second object.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein the database of known data sets comprises data sets generated by at least one of the group consisting of:

(i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data.

20. A system according to claim 16 wherein the apparatus for comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets is configured to use at least one from the group consisting of:

(i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods.

21. A system according to claim 16 wherein the first data set comprises a data cloud.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein the database of known data sets comprises data clouds generated by at least one from the group consisting of (i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus for comparing the first data cloud with a database of known data clouds is configured to use least one from the group consisting of:

(i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods.

24. A system according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus for comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space is configured to compare the first data set with a second data set reflecting the desired orientation of the first object in space.

25. A system according to claim 15 further comprising:

apparatus for adjusting the current orientation of the first object with a device mounted to the second object.

26. A system according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the first object and the second object comprises a component of a joint.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein the first object comprises an acetabular cup disposed in the pelvis.

28. A system according to claim 26 wherein the second object comprises an element mounted to the femur.

31. A system according to claim 15 wherein the kinematic action comprises moving at least one of the first object and the second object relative to a fixed frame of reference.

29. An acetabular cup comprising:

a hollow cup having an outer surface for attachment to the pelvis and an inner surface for receiving a ball of a femur;

the outer surface comprising longitudinal ridges for permitting selective movement of the cup relative to the pelvis.