Methods and systems for adjusting an external fixation frame

Abstract

A tool for implementing a correction plan in an external fixation frame having a plurality of adjustment elements or screws, for example, generally includes a driver, a motor, a controller, and a processor. The driver is adapted to engage and rotate each of the screws. The motor is coupled the driver and adapted to rotate the driver. The controller is connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The a processor adapted configured to: receive correction plan data; receive identification data including information for identifying at least one of the plurality of screws; determine movement of at least one of the plurality of the screws based on the correction plan data and the identification data; and send signals indicative of the determined movement to the controller in order to rotate at least one of the plurality of screws according to a predetermined correction plan.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of generating a correction plan for treating a deformity in a bone of a patient comprising the steps of:
 displaying at least one digital representation of the bone including the deformity on a visual medium;   inputting into a computer at least one anatomical limiting factor of the patient;   displaying a first virtual ring representative of a first ring of an external fixation system on the visual medium;   displaying at least one strut having a length on the visual medium, the at least one strut coupled to the first virtual ring;   determining a position of a second virtual ring representative of a second ring of the external fixator system; and   generating a correction plan to correct the bone deformity based at least in part on the at least one anatomical limiting factor.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of generating a correction plan is performed subsequent to fixing the external fixation system to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining a rate of bone distraction based at least in part on the at least one anatomical limiting factor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein defining the deformity of the bone includes inputting into the computer information selected from the group consisting of rotation, translation, angulation, length, and vertical translation of the bone. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising displaying the correction plan on the visual medium. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising displaying a simulation of the correction plan on the visual medium. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor comprises coordinates derived from patient anatomy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor is based at least in part on a position of nerves of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor is based at least in part on a position of compromised skin of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising uploading the correction plan to a tool for adjusting the external fixation frame. 
     
     
         12 . A method of generating a correction plan for treating a deformity in a bone of a patient comprising the steps of:
 displaying at least one digital representation of the bone including the deformity on a visual medium;   inputting into a computer at least one anatomical limiting factor of the patient;   inputting sizes and positions of first and second virtual rings representative of first and second rings of an external fixation system;   displaying the first and second virtual rings on the visual medium;   determining at least one combination of struts to connect the first ring to the second ring when fixed to the bone in a manner corresponding to the positions of the first and second virtual rings; and   generating a correction plan based at least in part on the at least one anatomical limiting factor to correct the bone deformity.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of generating a correction plan is performed prior to fixing the external fixation system to the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising determining a rate of bone distraction based at least in part on the at least one anatomical limiting factor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein defining the deformity of the bone includes inputting into the computer information selected from the group consisting of rotation, translation, angulation, length, and vertical translation of the bone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying the correction plan on the visual medium. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising displaying a simulation of the correction plan on the visual medium. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor comprises coordinates derived from patient anatomy. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor is based at least in part on a position of nerves of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anatomical limiting factor is based at least in part on a position of compromised skin of the patient. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising uploading the correction plan to a tool for adjusting the external fixation frame.