Acetabular Reaming Navigation With Real-Time Depth And Tilt Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-assisted surgical systems face challenges in accurately tracking and assessing individual voxels of bone during reaming of the acetabulum, requiring high computing resources and complicating real-time monitoring, which can lead to complications such as aseptic loosening and misalignment in total hip arthroplasty.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for navigated reaming of the acetabulum that includes receiving a surgical plan, using tracking elements on the reamer and acetabulum to determine depth and tilt angle, comparing these to threshold ranges, and automatically adjusting the reamer's speed or deactivating it if thresholds are exceeded, while displaying 3D models for guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If volumetric tracking with voxel-by-voxel assessment is used to monitor reaming in real-time, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computing resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acetabulum into discrete volumetric elements (voxels) and tracks them individually during reaming. This segmentation allows precise monitoring of bone removal at the voxel level while managing computational complexity through systematic organization of tracking data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D surface tracking to 3D volumetric tracking by assessing individual voxels within the bone structure. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive real-time monitoring of reaming depth and orientation while maintaining measurement precision through spatial coordinate mapping.
2Manufacturing precision
If voxel-by-voxel assessment is performed during reaming, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to high computing resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs pre-operative planning and creates a detailed 3D model of the acetabulum with defined voxels before surgery. This preliminary action establishes the tracking framework in advance, allowing rapid real-time assessment during reaming without computationally intensive calculations during the actual procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex real-time volumetric calculations with pre-computed voxel tracking references. By substituting mechanical computational processes with pre-established spatial data structures, the system achieves both high reaming accuracy and efficient real-time monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If high degree of tracking accuracy is required for voxel monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (3D model) of the acetabulum with voxel representation that mirrors the actual bone structure. This virtual model serves as a reference for tracking, allowing high measurement precision through coordinate mapping without requiring complex physical tracking hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for real-time navigation of reaming of an acetabulum are disclosed. A first tracking element is interfaced to a reamer. A second tracking element is interfaced at or near the acetabulum. The first tracking element can be interfaced to an outer casing surrounding a portion of the shaft of the reamer. A depth and a tilt angle of the reamer with respect to the acetabulum are determined, based on a location of the first and second tracking elements. Based on a surgical plan, the depth and the tilt angle, the volume of removed bone from the acetabulum can also be determined.