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