Patent ID: 7618419
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A computer-assisted method for the repair of a bone fracture, comprising the steps of: acquiring intra-operative ultrasound imaging data of a first bone segment, a second bone segment, and a third bone element using an ultrasound probe; generating, via the computer in communication with the ultrasound probe, a first three-dimensional bone surface model based upon the imaging data of the first bone segment, and a second three-dimensional bone surface model based upon the imaging data of the second bone segment; determining an initial position of first and second bone models; generating, via the computer, a third bone surface model based upon the imaging data of the third bone element; generating, via the computer, a symmetrical mirror image of the third bone model; matching the surface of the first bone model to a surface of the mirrored third bone model; matching the surface of the second bone model to the surface of the mirrored third bone model; determining a final position of the first and second bone models based upon the relative positions of the first bone model and the second bone model after being matched to the mirrored third bone model; and providing and displaying on a display connected to the computer position information of the first and second bone models.