Ao Technology Ag

Xuan Zhang

Guoyan Zheng

A method for computer assisted localization of the distal locking holes () of an implanted intramedullary nail () having a nail axis () and a first and second distal locking hole () by A) acquiring one single image IM of the distal end section () of said intramedullary nail by means of an X-ray device () whose optical axis () is oriented essentially perpendicular to the nail axis () but irrespective to the orientation of the distal locking holes (); and B) calculating the position of the first and second hole axis () of the first and second distal locking hole () with respect to a three-dimensional coordinate system A-COS () of the implanted intramedullary nail ().

Method and device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails

A method and a device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails comprising the steps of: A) establishing a virtual geometric representation of an intramedullary nail (); B) acquiring a first medical image () using a radioscopic unit () with its focal line () adjusted at an angle between 0&#xb0; and 30&#xb0; to the axis () of the at least one distal locking hole (); C) acquiring a second medical image using a radioscopic unit () with its focal line () adjusted at an angle between 60&#xb0; and 90&#xb0; to the axis (); D) computing the position of the longitudinal axis () of the distal part () of the intramedullary nail () using said first and second medical image and said virtual geometric representation by means of a computer (); E) computing the position of the axis () of the at least one distal locking hole () using said first and second medical image (); F) transferring information related to the positions of the distal part () and the at least one distal locking hole () from a central processing unit of the computer () to an external guide means () for drilling a hole in a bone ().

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Bern, Switzerland

Xuan Zhang