A new automatic alignment method for metatarsal fracture surgery has been developed in the current research.  The medical image process and 3D printing technology are applied for precise alignment of the fractured bone with a fixing K-wire for each metatarsal.  The fracture bone cannot be seen under the skin such that manual positioning error is not avoidable.  Using the developed automatic alignment method, the measuring number of X-ray images, which are harmful to human tissue, can be reduced.

A new automatic alignment method for metatarsal fracture surgery has been developed in the current research.  The medical image process and 3D printing technology are applied for precise alignment of the fractured bone with a K-wire for each metatarsal.  The fracture bone cannot be seen under the skin such that manual positioning error is not avoidable.  Using the developed automatic alignment method, the measuring number of X-ray images, which are harmful to human tissue, can be reduced.    

The automatic alignment structure for metatarsal fracture surgery consisted of an alignment shell, a board, a pair of holding arms and a fixing bar, the K-wire.  The fixing bar through a tunnel along the board, which is pre-aligned with the holding arms, has an effect of stability for the broken bones. 

The process of the automatic alignment design for metatarsal fracture surgery needs clinical diagnosis, CT or MRI scan, 3D image construction, analysis of orthopedic musculoskeletal system, CAD and 3D printing technology, which are listed as follows, 
Clinical Bone Diagnosis
CT, Computed Tomography
MRI, Magnetic resonance imaging
3D Image construction
Orthopedic Musculoskeletal System
CAD, Computer Aided Design
3D Visualized Image Reconstruction Technology
3D Printing Technology

骨折內固定手術，可應用於四肢肢段骨折