A computational/experimental platform for investigating three-dimensional puzzle solving of comminuted articular fractures

Thaddeus P Thomas; Donald D Anderson; Andrew R Willis; Pengcheng Liu; Matthew C Frank; J. Lawrence Marsh; Thomas D Brown

doi:10.1080/10255841003762042

$A computational/experimental platform for investigating three-dimensional puzzle solving of comminuted articular fractures$

Journal article

Peer reviewed

A computational/experimental platform for investigating three-dimensional puzzle solving of comminuted articular fractures

Thaddeus P Thomas, Donald D Anderson, Andrew R Willis, Pengcheng Liu, Matthew C Frank, J. Lawrence Marsh and Thomas D Brown

Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering, Vol.14(3), pp.263-270

03/01/2011

DOI: 10.1080/10255841003762042

PMCID: PMC3045471

PMID: 20924863

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Abstract

Reconstructing highly comminuted articular fractures poses a difficult surgical challenge, akin to solving a complicated three-dimensional (3D) puzzle. Preoperative planning using computed tomography (CT) is critically important, given the desirability of less invasive surgical approaches. The goal of this work is to advance 3D puzzle-solving methods towards use as a preoperative tool for reconstructing these complex fractures. A methodology for generating typical fragmentation/dispersal patterns was developed. Five identical replicas of human distal tibia anatomy were machined from blocks of high-density polyetherurethane foam (bone fragmentation surrogate), and were fractured using an instrumented drop tower. Pre- and post-fracture geometries were obtained using laser scans and CT. A semi-automatic virtual reconstruction computer program aligned fragment native (non-fracture) surfaces to a pre-fracture template. The tibiae were precisely reconstructed with alignment accuracies ranging from 0.03 to 0.4 mm. This novel technology has the potential to significantly enhance surgical techniques for reconstructing comminuted intra-articular fractures, as illustrated for a representative clinical case.

articular fracture comminution

virtual surgical reconstruction

preoperative surgical planning

Details

Title: Subtitle: A computational/experimental platform for investigating three-dimensional puzzle solving of comminuted articular fractures
Creators: Thaddeus P Thomas - Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of Iowa
Donald D Anderson - Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of Iowa
Andrew R Willis - Electrical and Computer Engineering Department , The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Pengcheng Liu - Electrical and Computer Engineering Department , The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Matthew C Frank - Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering , Iowa State University
J. Lawrence Marsh - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation , The University of Iowa
Thomas D Brown - Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering, Vol.14(3), pp.263-270
DOI: 10.1080/10255841003762042
PMID: 20924863
PMCID: PMC3045471
NLM abbreviation: Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin
ISSN: 1025-5842
eISSN: 1476-8259
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2011
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Industrial and Systems Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984040396102771

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