Interactive prosthesis design system for implantable prosthesis

An apparatus for designing a prosthetic implant, said apparatus utilizing first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images relating to the location of the implant, said apparatus comprising:

• means for optically scanning and digitizing the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images to create representations of the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images and electronically storing said representations;
• means for displaying said representations;
• means for selecting a first and a second plurality of points on said first and second representations which correspond to the location for the implant;
• means for storing said first and second plurality of points in association with location information of said first and second plurality of points on said representations;
• and
• means for calculating a topology for a prosthetic implant using said first and second plurality of points.

A method of designing a prosthetic implant, said method utilizing first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images relating to the location of the implant, said method comprising the steps of:

• optically scanning and digitizing the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images to create representations of the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images and electronically storing said representations;
• displaying said representations of the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images;
• selecting a first and a second plurality of points on said first and second representations which correspond to the location for the implant;
• storing said first and second plurality of points in association with location information of said first and second plurality of points on said representations;
• calculating a topology for a prosthetic implant using said first and second plurality of points;
• and
• generating a series of machine tool instructions for manufacturing a prosthetic implant according to said calculated topology.

A method of designing a prosthetic implant, said method utilizing first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images relating to the location of the implant, said method comprising the steps of:

• optically scanning and digitizing the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images to create representations of the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images and electronically storing said representations;
• displaying said representations of the first and second two dimensional x-ray radiograph images;
• selecting a first and a second plurality of points on said first and second representations which correspond to the location for the implant;
• storing said first and second plurality of points in association with location information of said first and second plurality of points on said representations;
• calculating a topology for a prosthetic implant using said first and second plurality of points;
• and
• manufacturing a prosthetic implant generally having an outer surface corresponding to said calculated topology.