Computer-assisted planning method for correcting changes in the shape of joint bones

1. A method of computer-assisted planning for correcting changes in the shape of joint bones in a bone joint, comprising:

providing a three-dimensional imaging data set of a bone joint having joint bones;

identifying the joint bones in the data set based on shapes of the joint bones in the data set and typical joint bone shapes;

inscribing a portion of a joint bone to be reconstructed with an assignable base shape;

determining contour deviations of the inscribed joint bone from the base shape by ascertaining contour distances between the base shape and the shape of the inscribed joint bone in different incision planes;

determining, using a processor, a three-dimensional deviating volume using said contour deviations; and

using said deviating volume for correction planning.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying the joint bones in the data set includes computer-assisted segmentation to identify the joint bones.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein inscribing a portion of a joint bone includes performing graphic data processing.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing the three-dimensional image data set includes producing the data set from a computer tomography method, a nuclear spin tomography method, or an x-ray method including volumetric detection.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the three-dimensional deviating volume includes comparing the contour deviations in the different incision planes that are rotated about an axis, wherein the axis is an axis of the joint bone.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the three-dimensional deviating volume includes comparing the contour deviations in adjacent incision planes.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the base shape is a generic or statistical model that is scaled for size.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base shape comprises a spherical shape, a saddle shape, a cylindrical shape, or a combination of such shapes.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base shape is a base shape for the joint bone from an anatomical atlas or other comparative model.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the joint bone is a femoral neck bone, and the base shape comprises a spherical shape that is inscribed into a head of the femoral neck bone.

11. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising determining contour deviations successively in a plurality of incision planes that are rotated about a femoral neck axis.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of incision planes include each incision plane along a radius vector of the sphere that assumes a plurality of angles (α) with respect to the neck axis of the femoral neck over a measurement range.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the measurement range begins where a contour of the head of the femoral neck bone first deviates from the base shape.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the measurement range with respect to the angle (α) towards the femoral neck ends (α n ) where the angle (α) assumes a value that corresponds to a mirrored angle (β), wherein the angle (β) is the angle assumed by a spherical radius vector with respect to the neck axis when it points to the transition between the head of the femoral bone and the femoral neck, on the side opposite the contour deviation.

15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the measurement range with respect to the angle (α) towards the femoral neck ends (α n ) where the angle (α) assumes a standard value that is preset, wherein the standard value can vary depending on the orientation of the incision plane.

16. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising outputting at least one of:

incision planes with contour deviations and/or a base shape;

ascertained measurement range angles (α, β); and/or bone characteristics.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the incision planes with contour deviations and/or a base shape include an incision plane having the greatest contour deviation.

18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the bone characteristics include: the center of rotation of the joint, the position of the neck axis, the pelvic planes, and/or the axial position of the femoral bone.

19. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising providing the data to a medical navigation system.

20. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising calculating a reconstructed volume from the deviating volume based on one or more of the following ancillary conditions:

a sufficient bone depth should be maintained;

a new shape of the joint bone should have smooth transitions and should have no indentations or minimal indentations;

a new shape of the joint bone should come as near as possible to a natural shape of the joint bone;

an influence of bones interference regions should be weighted depending on their importance to the function of the joint; and/or

the volume to be removed should be minimized.

21. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising performing a computer simulation of a joint movement based on a new shape of the joint bone and on interference detection to ascertain and output a projected range of bone joint motion.

22. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium for computer-assisted planning for correcting changes in the shape of joint bones in a bone joint, comprising:

a) code that receives and stores in memory a three-dimensional imaging data set of a bone joint having joint bones;

b) code that identifies the joint bones in the data set based on shapes of the joint bones in the data set and typical joint bone shapes;

c) code that inscribes a portion of a joint bone to be reconstructed with an assignable base shape;

d) code that determines contour deviations of the inscribed joint bone from the base shape by ascertaining contour distances between the base shape and the shape of the inscribed joint bone in different incision planes;

e) code that determines a three-dimensional deviating volume using said contour deviations; and

f) code that generates a correction plan using said deviating volume.

23. A system for computer-assisted planning for correcting changes in the shape of joint bones in a bone joint, comprising:

a computer operatively coupled to receive a three-dimensional imaging data set of a bone joint, said computer comprising:

a processor and memory, and

logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, said logic including:

i) logic that receives and stores in memory a three-dimensional imaging data set of a bone joint having joint bones;

ii) logic that identifies the joint bones in the data set based on shapes of the joint bones in the data set and typical joint bone shapes;

iii) logic that inscribes a portion of a joint bone to be reconstructed with an assignable base shape;

iv) logic that determines contour deviations of the inscribed joint bone from the base shape by ascertaining contour distances between the base shape and the shape of the inscribed joint bone in different incision planes;

v) logic that determines a three-dimensional deviating volume using said contour deviations; and

vi) logic that generates a correction plan using said deviating volume.