Design of Orthopedic Plates and Its Modification Based on Feature.

To quickly construct the orthopedic plates and to conveniently edit it, a novel method for designing the plates is put forward based on feature idea and parameterization. Firstly, attached to the existing or repaired bone model, the region of interest (ROI) is selected as the abutted surface of orthopedic plate, and the ROI is reconstructed to form a CAD surface. Secondly, the CAD surface is to be defined as a surface feature (SF) and then some semantic parameters are configured for it. Lastly, the plate body is constructed through thickening, and some higher parameters are defined for it so as to produce a volumetric feature (VF). In the above process, there exist two main problems: one is parameterization of the abutted surface, and the other is construction of the outer surface. Besides, the mapping relationship has to be built between surface feature parameters and volumetric feature parameters. This method supports the modification of high-level parameters, consequently promoting the quality and efficiency of orthopedic plate design.