Computation of shapes of three-dimensional linkage structures based on optimization techniques

A method for choosing a surgical procedure for correcting a spinal deformity, comprising:

• forming a model that represents said spinal deformity in accordance with steps that include:
• (a) collecting spinal data from a plurality of humans;
• (b) defining spinal energy as a vector-valued function of a set of variables, whereby the spine assumes a shape which minimizes spinal energy;
• (c) determining stiffness coefficients from said spinal data, with spinal energy being dependent on the stiffness coefficients as determined from said spinal data;
• and
• (d) iteratively processing radiographic data from an individual patient using spinal energy and stiffness coefficients to find a shape of the patient's spine;
• performing at least one trial using said model to determine a one or more corrections for said spinal deformity;
• and
• choosing a surgical procedure which corresponds to a least invasive one of said one or more corrections.

A method for forming a tool for predicting spinal deterioration,

• forming a model that represents said spinal deformity in accordance with steps that include:
• (a) collecting spinal data from a plurality of humans;
• (b) defining spinal energy as a vector-valued function of a set of variables, whereby the spine assumes a shape which minimizes spinal energy;
• (c) determining stiffness coefficients from said spinal data, with spinal energy being dependent on the stiffness coefficients as determined from said spinal data;
• and
• (d) iteratively processing radiographic data from an individual patient using spinal energy and stiffness coefficients to find a shape of the patient's spine;
• wherein said vector-valued function represents said spinal energy as a sum of spinal energies of various spinal components, and wherein said method further includes:
• (e) obtaining normal ranges for said components based on experimental human data;
• and
• (f) predicting future spinal deterioration by detecting deviations from said ranges to indicate where to expect maximal spinal deformity.