Planning method and system for free-form implant modification

1. A method for planning a bone implant, comprising:

obtaining image data corresponding to a bone to be treated;

identifying in the image data a dysfunctional part of the bone and a functional part of the bone;

ascertaining a contour of an interface between the dysfunctional part of the bone and the functional part of the bone;

registering the ascertained contour in a medical navigation system, wherein registering the contour includes registering the contour a predetermined distance below the interface;

using a processor to produce a control data set based on the registered contour of the interface, said control data set forming the basis for ablating the bone; and

outputting the control data set.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying the dysfunctional part and the functional part of the bone includes using an imaging method to ascertain the dysfunctional part and the functional part of the bone.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein using the imaging method includes using an x-ray method, a computer tomography method or a magnetic resonance tomography method.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein identifying includes using graphical segmentation of image data obtained from the imaging method to identify the dysfunctional part of the bone.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising using a navigation-assisted ablating device to remove the dysfunctional part of the bone based on the control data set.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein producing the control data set includes producing a control data set that includes information for guiding an ablating device.

7. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising:

positionally detecting and tracking the ablating device; and

based on the control data set and the detected and tracked position of the ablating device, providing information for guiding the ablating device via free hand.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein positionally detecting and tracking the ablating device includes using a medical tracking system to detect and track the ablating device, and wherein the information for guiding the ablating device is provided by a medical navigation system communicatively coupled to said tracking system.

9. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising:

positionally detecting and tracking the ablating device, wherein the ablating device is mechanically mounted to a support structure; and

based on the control data set and the detected and tracked position of the ablating device, providing information for guiding the ablating device by hand.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein positionally detecting and tracking the ablating device includes using a medical tracking system to detect and track the ablating device, and wherein the information for guiding the ablating device is provided by a medical navigation system communicatively coupled to said tracking system.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein providing information includes providing information to a surgical robot operatively coupled to the ablating device.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein producing a control data set includes producing a control data set for guiding a mechanically mounted ablating device that is positionally detected and tracked, and, based on the control data set, producing control instructions for guiding the ablating device.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein providing control instructions includes providing control instructions to a surgical robot operatively coupled to the ablating device.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein producing the control data set includes producing a control data set for an ablating device comprising at least one of a cutting tool, a drilling tool, a milling tool, a laser ablating tool, a jet cutting tool.

15. A system for modifying a bone and/or bone implant, comprising:

a processor and memory;

logic stored in memory and executable by the processor, said logic comprising

logic that receives information corresponding to a contour of an interface between a dysfunctional part of the bone and a functional part of the bone;

logic that registers the contour in a medical workspace, wherein the logic that registers the contour includes logic that registers the contour a predetermined distance below the interface;

logic that produces instructions for directing the ablation of a bone based on the registered contour; and

a navigation-assisted bone ablating device operative to implement the instructions to ablate the bone.

16. The system according to claim 15 , further comprising an implant machining device operative to form a bone abutting portion of a bone implant that fits the contour.

17. The system according to claim 15 , further comprising:

a medical tracking system for positionally detecting and tracking the ablating device; and

a medical navigation system communicatively coupled to the tracking system, wherein the medical navigation system is operative to provide a guiding assistance for the ablating device based on the control data set and tracking data obtained from the tracking system.

18. The system according to claim 17 , further comprising a surgical robot, wherein the ablating device is operatively coupled to the surgical robot.

19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the ablating device is an ablating device which is guided by a free hand, a mechanically mounted ablating device guided by hand, or a mechanically mounted ablating device that is automatically guided based.

20. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the ablating device is operatively coupled to a surgical robot, and the surgical robot automatically guides the ablating device based on the instructions.

21. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the ablating device comprises at least one of a cutting tool, a drilling tool, a milling tool, a laser ablating tool, or a jet cutting tool.