US 5,741,215 AGranted

Stereolithographic anatomical modelling process

AssigneeThe University of Queensland

InventorPaul Steven D'Urso

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Abstract

A method for stereolithographic construction of models including prostheses and anatomical pathology wherein CT scan data is computed to construct a plurality of two dimensional cross sectional images along one axis and the two dimensional image data is computed to create three dimensional coordinate data sets for the article to be modelled. The three dimensional data sets are then computed to obtain spaced parallel two dimensional image data sets in a second plane of the article and the reconstructed two dimensional image data sets are employed in a stereolithographic modelling apparatus to produce a three dimensional model of the article or part thereof. A prosthetic implant shaped to correct a defect in an anatomical part as well as a method for surgically implanting the implant using the stereolithographic method is also disclosed.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for stereolithographic construction of models including an implantable surgical prosthesis and/or an anatomical pathology model, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting into a data storage means scanning data relating to internal and/or external surfaces of anatomical pathology;
computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology;
computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology;
and
generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning.

2 more elements

A method for the surgical implantation of a prosthesis comprising the steps of:

tomographically scanning a region of anatomical pathology;
inputting scanning data so obtained into a data storage means;
computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology;
computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology;
generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology or a mould surface therefor by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning;
and
surgically implanting in a patient a prosthesis obtained directly or indirectly therefrom, said prosthesis being characterized in having a close fit with connective tissue and contours appropriate for an implant site.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.