Patient-adapted and improved articular implants, designs and related guide tools
View Patent ↗Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
1. A method for designing, using a computer system, an orthopedic device for implanting into a joint of a patient, comprising
receiving image data associated with the joint;
reconstructing in different planes a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of an articular surface portion of the joint utilizing at least a portion of the image data;
deriving a curvature of the articular surface portion;
and selecting an articular repair system using the curvature, wherein the articular repair system has a corresponding surface portion that has a shape matching the curvature, wherein the step of selecting includes merging a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of one or more articular repair systems with the two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of the at least a portion of the joint in a common coordinate system.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the different planes include a sagittal plane.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the different planes include a coronal plane.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articular surface portion includes cartilage.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articular surface portion includes normal cartilage surrounding a cartilage defect.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articular surface portion includes subchondral bone.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more articular repair systems are from a library or database of pre-existing systems of various sizes.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more articular repair systems are from a library or database of pre-existing systems of various curvatures.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more articular repair systems are from a library or database of pre-existing systems of various thicknesses.
10. The method of claim 1 , further including shaping the selected articular repair system.
11. The method of claim 1 , further including providing one or more surgical assistance tools to facilitate implantation of the selected articular repair system into the joint of the patient.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more surgical assistance tools include a surface and shape matching at least a surface portion of the joint of the patient and one or more guides configured to accommodate a surgical instrument.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least a surface portion of the joint includes an articular surface or bone surface of the joint.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more guides include an aperture, a slot and/or a hole.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more guides have a position configured to achieve an anatomically desirable cut plane or drill hole orientation for subsequent placement of the selected articular repair system.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more guides have a position selected based on information about other joints or axis and alignment information of a corresponding joint or extremity.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more surgical assistance tools are re-usable.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more surgical assistance tools are single-use tools.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the single-use tools are specific to the patient.