Anatomical Image Updating With Magnetic Tracking During Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical imaging technologies fail to accurately track and monitor movement of patient anatomy during procedures, requiring time-consuming re-registration and exposing patients to ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that annotates and updates images in real-time to reflect anatomical element movement using sensors and artificial intelligence, allowing for accurate monitoring without ionizing radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical imaging technologies are used to track anatomical elements, then anatomical monitoring can be performed, but the system requires time-consuming re-registration and exposes patients to ionizing radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical tracking systems with magnetic field-based sensing. Magnetic sensors detect the position and orientation of anatomical elements by tracking magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical registration systems and reducing re-registration time while maintaining tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field markers embedded in or attached to anatomical elements as intermediaries. These markers mediate between the anatomical structures and the sensing system, enabling non-invasive, continuous tracking without requiring direct mechanical contact or repeated imaging registration
2Reliability
If traditional surgical imaging technologies are used to monitor anatomical movement, then anatomical position can be tracked, but patients are exposed to ionizing radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes ionizing radiation-based imaging (X-ray, CT) with non-ionizing magnetic field sensing. Magnetic sensors detect anatomical position through magnetic field interactions, providing continuous monitoring without exposing patients to harmful ionizing radiation while maintaining monitoring accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for detection from ionizing radiation to magnetic field properties. By measuring magnetic field strength, direction, and phase changes caused by magnetic markers on anatomical elements, the system achieves accurate tracking without radiation exposure
3Productivity
If real-time anatomical tracking is implemented using sensors, then re-registration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs magnetic sensors and markers with multi-functionality. The same magnetic markers serve both as position indicators and orientation references, while the sensing system simultaneously tracks multiple anatomical elements, reducing overall system complexity despite real-time tracking capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simplified magnetic field representations to copy and represent complex anatomical positions and orientations. By mapping three-dimensional spatial information into magnetic field parameter changes, the system achieves accurate tracking with relatively simple sensor hardware and processing requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for monitoring one or more anatomical elements are provided. An image depicting one or more anatomical elements and a plurality of annotations may be received. The image may comprise a plurality of image elements. Each annotation may correspond to one of the one or more anatomical elements and may be associated with one of the plurality of image elements. Movement information about movement of at least a portion of a particular anatomical element may be received. Image elements corresponding to the particular anatomical element may be identified to yield a set of image elements. The set of image elements may be adjusted based on the movement information to yield an updated image reflecting changes to affected anatomical elements.