Method for selecting modular implant components

Abstract

A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.

1 . A method for selecting an orthopedic implant from a system of orthopedic implants for implantation in an anatomical structure of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 acquiring an image of the anatomical structure;   using a template with a grid coordinate system to assess at least one of a first, second, and third variable associated with respective physical characteristics of the implants, the grid coordinate system having a plurality of reference points corresponding to at least two of the first, second, and third variables; and   selecting a first orthopedic implant from the system of implants based on coordinates determined using the template.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implants are modular components of a hip implant system and the first variable corresponds to leg length, the second variable corresponds to offset, and the third variable corresponds to anteversion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said using step is completed preoperatively. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the variables is arranged along a first axis of the grid coordinate system and another of the variables is arranged along a second axis of the grid coordinate system orthogonal to the first axis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system of implants comprises an arrangement of implants including at least one subset in which at least one of the first, second, and third variables associated with a respective different physical characteristic of the implants is constant and the others of the first, second, and third variables vary within each subset. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the arrangement comprises at least one container including a plurality of implants arranged according to each subset. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the arrangement includes one container per subset. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the arrangement includes one container with multiple subsets. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the arrangement comprises a graphical representation arranged according to the at least one subset. 
     
     
         10 . A method for intraoperatively selecting an orthopedic implant for implantation in an anatomical structure of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 assessing, intraoperatively, at least one of a first, a second, and a third variable associated with respective physical characteristics of the implant; and   selecting an orthopedic implant based on a change in the at least one variable from a system in which the implants are arranged in subsets in which one of the others of the first, second, and third variables is constant.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the implant is a modular component of a hip implant system and the first variable corresponds to leg length, the second variable corresponds to offset, and the third variable corresponds to anteversion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the system of implants comprises an arrangement of implants including at least one subset in which at least one of the first, second, and third variables associated with a respective different physical characteristic of the implants is constant and the others of the first, second, and third variables vary within each subset. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the arrangement comprises at least one container including a plurality of implants arranged according to each subset. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the arrangement includes one container per subset. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the arrangement includes one container with multiple subsets. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the arrangement comprises a graphical representation arranged according to the at least one subset.