Computer aided distal locking guidance of intramedullary nail by X-ray image analysis

Distal locking of intramedullary nail inside a patient's broken bone is a difficult step in an orthopaedic surgery. It is hard not only because surgeons must locate the direction and align two distal holes in a 3D space by using 2D x-ray images, but also because the intramedullary nail can twist in unknown 3D direction and position during an operation. This process normally takes a long time, heavily uses x-ray radiation and hence exposes surgeons and patients to high doses of x-ray radiation. Longer surgical duration also increases the risk of high blood loss and prolonged anesthesia towards the patient. This research proposes a methodology to help reduce the usage of x-ray radiation, and to also simplify the distal locking process, through the utilization of simple devices along with x-ray image analysis.