Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for stereolithographic construction of models including an implantable surgical prosthesis and/or an anatomical pathology model, said method comprising the steps of: inputting into a data storage means scanning data relating to internal and/or external surfaces of anatomical pathology; computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology; computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology; and generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for stereolithographic construction of models including an implantable surgical prosthesis and/or an anatomical pathology model, said method comprising the steps of: inputting into a data storage means scanning data relating to internal and/or external surfaces of anatomical pathology; computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology; computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology; and generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two dimensional image data sets are computed in parallel planes at closer intervals than planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said scanning data comprises digitised X-ray, MRI, MRA, PET, acoustic or other computed tomographic data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stored scanning data is computed to reconstruct a plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images of an anatomical defect in a region of the pathology scanned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two dimensional images of said defect are generated by direct computation of image data obtained from a corresponding region on an opposite side of a central axis of a reconstructed two dimensional image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said two dimensional images of said defect are generated by overlaying, in the defect region, an image obtained from an opposite side of a central axis of a reconstructed two dimensional image, assigning respective values to the image data obtained from opposite sides of said central axis and adding or subtracting the assigned values to obtain two dimensional image data for the defect only.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 including the step of simultaneously modelling a first portion of an anatomical pathology with an aperture defining the boundary of a defect and a second portion of said anatomical pathology complementary to said defect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second portion is modelled with a peripheral boundary slightly larger than the peripheral boundary of said aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein an anatomical prosthesis is constructed directly from a cross linkable polymer by stereolithographic modelling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the prosthesis is constructed indirectly by forming a mould from a stereolithographically formed anatomical pathology representation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the prosthesis is constructed indirectly by manipulation of the scanned data, the reconstructed two dimensional images or the three dimensional co-ordinate data set to form a mould or mould surface from which the prosthesis is moulded or otherwise formed.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the surgical implantation of a prosthesis comprising the steps of: tomographically scanning a region of anatomical pathology; inputting scanning data so obtained into a data storage means; computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology; computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology; generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology or a mould surface therefor by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning; and surgically implanting in a patient a prosthesis obtained directly or indirectly therefrom, said prosthesis being characterized in having a close fit with connective tissue and contours appropriate for an implant site.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the surgical implantation of a prosthesis comprising the steps of: tomographically scanning a region of anatomical pathology; inputting scanning data so obtained into a data storage means; computing the stored scanning data according to a predetermined algorithm to reconstruct a plurality of parallel two dimensional cross-sectional images of the anatomical pathology; computing said plurality of two dimensional cross-sectional images according to a predetermined algorithm to generate a three dimensional co-ordinate data set for the anatomical pathology; generating a three dimensional representation of said anatomical pathology or a mould surface therefor by stereolithographic modelling of a cross linkable liquid polymer using selected sequential two dimensional image data sets computed from said three dimensional co-ordinate data set, said two dimensional image data sets being computed in parallel planes which are not parallel to the planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning; and surgically implanting in a patient a prosthesis obtained directly or indirectly therefrom, said prosthesis being characterized in having a close fit with connective tissue and contours appropriate for an implant site.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said three dimensional representation includes a region of anatomical pathology surrounding or adjacent to the region of anatomical pathology being modelled, said surrounding region providing a template for accurate fit of a prosthesis so obtained.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 including the step of simultaneously modelling a first portion of an anatomical pathology with an aperture defining the boundary of a defect and a second portion of said anatomical pathology complementary to said defect.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second portion is modelled with a peripheral boundary slightly larger than the peripheral boundary of said aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein an anatomical prosthesis is constructed directly from a cross linkable polymer by stereolithographic modelling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the prosthesis is constructed indirectly by forming a mould from a stereolithographically formed anatomical pathology representation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the prosthesis is constructed indirectly by manipulation of the scanned data, the reconstructed two dimensional images or the three dimensional co-ordinate data set to form a mould or mould surface from which the prosthesis is moulded or otherwise formed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said two dimensional image data sets are computed in parallel planes at closer intervals than planes in which said two dimensional cross-sectional images are obtained by scanning.