Computerized reconstruction of fragmentary skeletal remains.

This research presents a new software, "Fragmento", for accurate analyses of fragmentary human skeletal remains and facilitation of three-dimensional (3D) fragmentary matching and full bone reconstruction. The framework utilizes the power of statistical bone atlases to create 3D templates for bone matching and to interpolate missing anatomy for full bone reconstruction. Developed tool has enhanced features allowing the user to visualize, review and scale all scanned skeletal remains within a 3D statistical template, merging accepted registered elements to provide a fully reconstructed bone.

A new method for calculating femoral anterior cortex point location and its effect on component sizing and placement.

Background: Variation in anterior femoral cortex morphology can cause improper component placement and alignment. When surgical inaccuracies occur, the mechanical properties of the distal femur may be altered, which could result in lower surgical success rates and an increased chance of postoperative complications.

Questions/purposes: The purpose of the study is to come up with a reproducible computational algorithm to simulate what the surgeon does in the operating room.

A three-dimensional analysis of bilateral directional asymmetry in the human clavicle.

This study presents a novel three-dimensional analysis using statistical atlases and automated measurements to assess diaphyseal morphology of the clavicle and its relationship to muscle asymmetry. A sample of 505 individuals (285 males, 220 females) from the William McCormick Clavicle Collection was CT scanned, segmented, and added to a statistical bone atlas that captures correspondence between homologous points on the bone surfaces. Muscle attachment sites were localized on the atlas and then propagated across the entire population.

Three-dimensional morphology of the knee reveals ethnic differences.

Background: Studies have demonstrated sex differences in femoral shape and quadriceps angle raising a question of whether implant design should be sex-specific. Much of this research has addressed shape differences within the Caucasian population and little is known about differences among ethnic groups.

Questions/purposes: We therefore asked: Do shape differences in the distal femur and proximal tibia exist among different ethnic groups and between the sexes in each ethnic population? And if ethnic differences exist, do they have a clinical impact on current TKA design?

Subjects And Methods: We analyzed 1000 normal adult knees (80 African American, 80 East Asian, and 860 Caucasian).

Automatic and manual methodology for three-dimensional measurements of distal femoral gender differences and femoral component placement.

Our study aimed to introduce an automatic three-dimensional method for measuring the distal femur and identifying potential gender differences and the effects on femoral component placement in total knee arthroplasty. Three hundred forty-two femora were scanned with computed tomography. Automatic and manual bone resection and component placement were compared using a virtual resection tool.