Carnegie Mellon University

Norman Krause

Takeo Kanade

Lee E Weiss

Kenji Shimada

Robert W Mendicino

Systems and methods of generating updated surgical plans are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of generating an updated surgical plan can include generating a three dimensional (3D) model of a bone, generating a surgical plan based on the 3D model, in which the surgical plan can include: locations on the bone upon which to dispose a fixator and settings of struts of the fixator, disposing the fixator on the bone based on the surgical plan, and, based on data associated with the placement of the fixator disposed on the bone, generating an updated surgical plan including updated settings for the struts.

Computer-aided bone distraction

Devices and methods for implementing computer-aided surgical procedures and more specifically devices and methods for implementing a computer-aided orthopedic surgery utilizing intra-operative feedback. A three-dimensional model of an area of a patient upon which a surgical procedure is to be performed is modeled using software techniques. The software model is used to generate a surgical plan, including placement of multifunctional markers, for performing the surgical procedure. After the markers are placed on the patient, an updated image of the patient is taken and used to calculate a final surgical plan for performing the remainder of the surgical procedure. The three-dimensional modeling, surgical planning, and surgery may all take place remote from each other. The various entities may communicate via an electronic communications network such as the Internet.

Computer-aided orthopedic surgery

A computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software for generation of 3D (three dimensional) solid bone models from two or more 2D (two dimensional) X-ray images of a patient's bone. The computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software reconstructs the bone contours by starting with a 3D template bone and deforming the 3D template bone to substantially match the geometry of the patient's bone. A surgical planner and simulator module of the computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software generates a simulated surgery plan showing the animation of the bone distraction process, the type and the size of the fixator frame to be mounted on the patient's bone, the frame mounting plan, the osteotomy/coricotomy site location and the day-by-day length adjustment schedule for each fixator strut. All bone models and surgery plans are shown as 3D graphics on a computer screen to provide realistic, pre-surgery guidance to the surgeon. Post-operative surgical data may be fed back into the computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software to revise the earlier specified one distraction trajectory in view of any discrepancy between the pre-operative plan data and the actual, post-operative data. Assistance in planning and carrying out a bone distraction surgery may be provided to remotely-located surgeons via the Internet using the computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software at the service provider's location to generate specific surgical plans and simulation models for each surgeon requesting assistance. A physician-friendly 3D modeling approach in the computer assisted/orthopedic surgery planner software according to the present invention reduces the complexities and costs associated with a bone distraction surgery and thus allows more surgeons to practice bone distraction, thereby benefitting more patients in need of bone distraction.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Norman Krause