US2014188241A1PendingUtilityA1

Computer-guided system for orienting the acetabular cup in the pelvis during total hip replacement surgery

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 13, 2008Filed: Jul 23, 2013Published: Jul 3, 2014
Est. expiryMar 13, 2028(~1.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Robert L. Thornberry
G06T 2207/30008G06T 2207/10028G06F 30/20A61F 2/34G06T 7/77G06F 17/5009
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Claims

Abstract

A method for determining the orientation of a first object in space, wherein the first, object is interactive with a second object, the method, comprising the steps of: using kinematic action to generate a first data sot reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known, spatial relationships between the first object and the second object, in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for determining the orientation of a first object in space, wherein the first object is interactive with a second object, the method comprising the steps of:
 using kinematic action to generate a first data set reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and   comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the kinematic action comprises moving the second object relative to the first object so that the second object dynamically engages the first object at a plurality of impingement locations. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the first data set reflects the range of motion permitted between the second object and the first object given the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the second object is configured so as to yield a different, and unique, first data set for each possible spatial relationship which may exist between the first object and the second object. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the database of known data sets comprises data sets generated by at least one of the group consisting of: (i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the step of comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets is conducted using at least one from the group consisting of: (i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the first data set comprises a data cloud. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the database of known data sets comprises data clouds generated by at least one from the group consisting of: (i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of comparing the first data cloud with a database of known data clouds is conducted using at least one from the group consisting of: (i) mathematical methods, (ii) statistical methods, (iii) shape fitting methods, and (iv) shape recognition methods. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space includes comparing the first data set with a second data set reflecting the desired orientation of the first object in space. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising: adjusting the current orientation of the first object with a device mounted to the second object. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first object and the second object comprises a component of a joint. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first object comprises an acetabular cup disposed in the pelvis. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the second object comprises an element mounted to the femur. 
     
     
         15 . A system for determining the orientation of a first object in space wherein the first object is interactive with a second object, the system comprising:
 apparatus configured to use kinematic action to generate a first data set reflective of the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object; and   apparatus for comparing the first data set with a database of known data sets reflective of known spatial relationships between the first object and the second object in space so as to identify the current orientation of the first object in space.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the first data set reflects the range of motion permitted between the second object and the first object given the current spatial relationship between the first object and the second object. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the database of known data sets comprises data sets generated by at least one of the group consisting of: (i) computer simulations that are performed in a virtual environment, and (ii) experimentally-derived laboratory data. 
     
     
         20 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 15  further comprising:
 apparatus for adjusting the current orientation of the first object with a device mounted to the second object. 
 
     
     
         26 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . An acetabular cup comprising:
 a hollow cup having an outer surface for attachment to the pelvis and an inner surface for receiving a ball of a femur;   the outer surface comprising longitudinal ridges for permitting selective movement of the cup relative to the pelvis.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the kinematic action comprises moving at least one of the first object and the second object relative to a fixed frame of reference. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled)

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