Establishment and validation of the interference detection algorithm applied in limb deformity correction.

External fixators are extensively applied in the treatment of lower limb deformities. To detect the positional relationship of the limb and external fixator during the distraction osteogenesis, an interference detection algorithm is proposed. The algorithm is established on a minimum distance model of cone-frustums busbar and cylindrical axis using vector analysis. The models of 3D printed cone-frustum (CF) are used to perform the interference experiment, which validate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. The algorithm can assess the implementability of the correction path to ensure the safety of the correction strategy.