COMPUTERIZED FEMORAL INTRAMEDULLARY IMPLANT DESIGN PACKAGE UTILIZING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DATA.

Abstract

Quantitative computed tomography (CT) methods are used to reconstruct the cross-sectional anatomy of individual femurs. Automatic contour detection algorithms and interactive editing are used to transform this data into 3-D models of the medullary canals. Each model is then used as input for a computerized implant design program whose output is a customized, exact-fit femoral intramedullary implant. It is hypothesized that a closer fitting implant will have better stress distribution to the bone, and therefore greater longevity. The effect of different proximal osteotomy cuts, stem lengths and priority schemes on the design program are currently being investigated.