3D Anatomical Landmark Positioning With Relief-Aware Spot Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical planning methods fail to accurately position landmarks on 3D patient models, failing to account for variations in patient anatomy and procedural objectives, leading to inefficiencies and risks during surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using advanced imaging, computational algorithms, and user-friendly interfaces for precise landmark positioning on 3D patient models, incorporating automated rendering, relief visualization, and segmentation techniques, along with machine learning algorithms to enhance surgical planning and intraoperative guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional manual techniques or simplistic digital tools are used for landmark identification, then the process is simple and easy to operate, but the positioning accuracy and reliability of landmark identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelandmark positioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated rendering system with spot indicators as an intermediary between the user and the 3D model. The spot indicator provides visual feedback about surface topology and depth variations, mediating the user's landmark positioning task by highlighting anatomical features that would otherwise be difficult to perceive in a standard 3D rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color changes in the spot indicator to encode depth and relief information. The indicator's appearance changes based on the local surface topology, providing intuitive visual cues about anatomical landmarks through color variations that reflect underlying structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If automated rendering techniques and relief visualization are implemented, then landmark identification accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and user interface simplicity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelandmark identification accuracyVSAvoiduser interface simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated rendering and relief visualization without requiring manual user configuration. The spot indicator automatically adapts its appearance based on the local surface topology, and the system self-adjusts the visualization parameters to highlight anatomical features, reducing the cognitive load and operational complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-computes the surface topology and prepares the spot indicator visualization before the user begins landmark positioning. This preliminary action ensures that when the user interacts with the 3D model, the relief enhancement is already optimized for the current view, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during the positioning task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If submillimeter accuracy in landmark positioning is achieved, then surgical planning precision improves, but the time required for the positioning process and computational resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical planning precisionVSAvoidpositioning process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning methods with an automated computational system. The spot indicator provides real-time visual feedback that guides the user to the precise landmark location, substituting iterative manual adjustment with a computationally-driven visual guidance system that achieves submillimeter accuracy more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spot indicator implements a feedback mechanism that continuously provides visual information about the user's positioning accuracy. As the user moves the landmark indicator, the spot indicator's appearance changes to reflect the local surface topology, providing immediate feedback that guides the user to the correct anatomical feature and confirms when submillimeter accuracy has been achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4645333A1Device and method for assisting a user positioning at least one graphical landmark within a 3D model
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 AVATAR MEDICAL
  • EP4645333A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4645333A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4645333A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and a method for assisting a user (4) positioning at least one graphical landmark within a three-dimensional - 3D - model by means of a user graphical interface (2) and a controller (6) configured so that the user (4) interacts with said user graphical interface (2), said 3D model being obtained from at least one 3D image and being representative of at least one portion of a patient's body and comprising at least one anatomical element of interest on which the at least one graphical landmark is to be positioned.