10 Computer assistance in orthopaedic surgery

		Bone shape and density analysis for implant design.

Over the past decade, research in Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) has evolved from early laboratory settings to clinical prototypes and spawned a series of clinical and industrial developments in Switzerland. The success of the early systems led to the Swiss-wide activities in Co-Me phase 1. Many methodological and technological goals were achieved and lead to successful clinical prototypes. However, for many CAOS methods to be routinely used in clinical applications, a series of improvements need to be made: invasiveness must be minimised, surgical efficiency must be increased and handling and costs must be reduced. This project will address these challenges by developing, demonstrating and validating methods through a selected set of clinical applications.

Sub Projects

10/1 Reconstruction of 3D bone shape from 2D fluoroscopy images using statistical shape models

Accurate 3D anatomy estimation from 2D views.

10/2 Predictive properties of statistical shape models

Rigorous theoretical and practical analysis of statistical predictors of bone shape.

10/3 Ultrasound based non-invasive referencing of bone structures

Fully non-invasive referencing of rigid anatomical structures using tracked ultrasound, specifically for spine surgery.

10/4 Statistical FEM bone and implant modelling

Statistical finite element models of bones for principled design of orthopaedic implants.

10/5 Flat panel radiography guidance for minimally invasive spine interventions

Coupling novel flat panel radiography techniques with CAS for minimally invasive treatment of oncological spine lesions.

10/6 Robotic biopsy guidance

Project Coordination