Revolutionizing Hip Replacement with OPS™ Technology

Personalized Hip Replacement Technology by Optimized Ortho and Corin Group

The inspiration behind OPS™ stemmed from a collaboration between clinicians and engineers. Their goal was to address two major issues in total hip replacement: determining the target for a well-oriented component and delivering that target intra-operatively. The result was a technology platform that allows total hip replacement to be customized for each patient. This customization is achieved by understanding the movement profile of each patient, thereby allowing implant selection and orientation to be optimized based on a series of unique and dynamic input data.

The realization of OPS™ technology was made possible through a community of early users. These users provided valuable insights into the usability of the technology and the constraints encountered in real-world scenarios. This feedback allowed the team to visualize, evaluate, and rapidly refine iterations of the product early in the design process, thereby leveraging immediate information and avoiding costly mistakes later in the design pathway.

The OPS™ process begins with medical imaging to define the patient-specific geometry and functional movement parameters. Dynamic simulation software is then used to optimize the orientation of the components to be utilized in theatre. Following this, 3D printed customized surgical guides are printed and sterilized for use in the operating room, ultimately aiding in delivering the optimized orientation.

OPS™ technology enables the surgeon to understand the individual pelvic motion profile of each patient before their surgery. This is driven by a simple imaging protocol which generates key input data that feeds into the computation modelling package. Multiple simulations can then be produced to highlight the unique way in which patients perform their normal everyday activities. From here, the surgeon is provided with an accurate laser-guided alignment system which allows the customized implant orientation to be reliably achieved during surgery.

The project commenced in 2010 as a small start-up called Optimized Ortho with a commercialization grant from the Australian Government. In 2014, Optimized Ortho was purchased by a British orthopaedic company named Corin. Over the years, functional imaging has been collected on over 2500 patients worldwide, providing a world-leading database on patient-specific functional positioning and its impact on component positioning in total hip replacement. This information is now being utilized in increasingly effective ways to optimize surgical outcomes.

The major challenge faced during the development of OPS™ was turning a fantastic idea into a commercial reality. This involved ensuring that business partners were appropriate and the internal staff selected to launch and support the technology were high caliber individuals. Despite these challenges, the OPS™ technology platform was awarded Silver in A' Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design Award in 2017, a testament to its innovative design and potential to revolutionize the field of hip replacement surgery.