Anatomical Data Registration via Optical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current registration techniques for anatomical image data sets face challenges in accurately capturing functional information of joints, especially due to soft tissue shifts and the need for invasive procedures, and fail to adequately relate biomechanical and functional information to surgical planning and execution.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that establishes arbitrary reference frames for anatomical data sets without pre-selected landmarks, allowing for the registration of additional spatial information, such as functional data, between different data sets, using imaging devices like ultrasound probes and surgical navigation systems, enabling accurate alignment and display of anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiducials are placed on skin for motion analysis, then movement tracking is enabled, but soft tissue shifts cause motion artifacts and inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical tracking system as an intermediary between the fiducials and the measurement process. This system uses optical fields to detect fiducial positions without physical contact, eliminating the harmful effect of soft tissue shifts on measurement reliability while maintaining measurement precision through non-invasive optical tracking
2Reliability
If fiducials are directly implanted on bones, then soft tissue shift is overcome, but surgical procedure and ionizing energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical implantation system (surgical procedures with beads) with an optical detection system. This substitution eliminates the harmful factors of surgical invasion and ionizing energy while maintaining reliable motion tracking through non-contact optical fields that detect fiducial positions during movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the fiducial positions using electromagnetic fields rather than physical implants. This copying approach allows reliable tracking of bone motion without the harmful effects of actual implantation, as the optical system captures and processes fiducial positions non-invasively
3Productivity
If passive motion is used during surgery, then joint movement is captured, but voluntary muscular forces are inactive leading to inadequate functional information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous optical tracking of fiducials throughout the surgical procedure, maintaining useful action (motion capture) continuously rather than intermittently. This allows functional joint information to be captured during active patient participation while maintaining surgical efficiency through uninterrupted real-time data acquisition
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for relating additional spatial information associated with one volume data set of an anatomical structure with another volume data set of the anatomical structure where the spatial information is not available. A unique spatial characteristic of the volume data set is identified, such as an image moment of inertia, and an arbitrary reference frame is assigned to the volume data set and correlated with the unique spatial characteristic. The additional spatial information is also correlated with the arbitrary reference frame. The additional spatial information is then correlated to a second volume data set of the anatomical structure by registering the first and second volume data sets based on the unique spatial characteristic. The methods and systems allow registration of different volume data sets of the same anatomical structure and transfer of the additional spatial information without establishing a local reference frame based on predefined landmarks.