Method of forming patient-specific implant

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

主权项

1. An apparatus for shaping an implant forming material into a surgical implant for correcting a defect in a skeletal region, the implant forming material comprising a solid deformable structure, said apparatus comprising:
a mold comprising a defect-free surface profile of the skeletal region; and a forming tool having a negative surface profile relative to said mold, such that the implant forming material is shaped into the surgical implant when the implant forming material is compressed between said mold and said forming tool; wherein at least one of said mold and said forming tool comprise two or more non-adjacent surface features; and wherein each surface feature is configured to produce fixation of a portion of the implant forming material at a location associated with said each surface feature when the implant forming material is compressed between said mold and said forming tool, such that the implant forming material is stretched between said surface features and permanently deformed beyond its elastic limit under application of suitable pressure.