Custom implant analysis system

A parametric model for implant design has been developed and incorporated into an expert system for prosthesis design and manufacturing. The expert system acquires data concerning the physical characteristics of a patient, (e.g., age, height, weight, and anatomical details of the femoral geometry). The system conceptualizes a space-filling custom design based upon the available data and calculations. The system considers existing off-the-shelf designs and the custom design as parallel alternatives and applies geometric criteria to eliminate designs that are incompatible with the patient's data. The remaining designs are used to generate finite-element models, and are evaluated for bone/prosthesis stress levels. The system 'reasons' about the final designs in an iterative fashion.<>