SKYATECH challenged this team to develop patient-specific instrumentation to assist and improve the accuracy of the placement of the acetabular cup in a patient’s hip during total hip arthroplasty.

SIGNIFICANCE

The correct placement of the acetabular cup during total hip surgery is dependent on two angles of importance. If either of these angles (abduction or anteversion) are off, the chance of complications post-surgery are much greater. These complications consist of discomfort, pre-mature wearing, and dislocation in which revision surgery would be required.

Revision surgeries for hip replacement costs the healthcare systems over $15,000 per patient. As such, many attempts to improve acetabular cup placement have been performed which consist of 3D printed aids and complete robotic surgical assistance.

Our client has tasked us with developing a 3D printed device that is customizable for each patient all while displaying an abduction angle of 45 degrees and an anteversion angle of 15 degrees (standard reference angles for hip replacement).