Real-Time Anatomical Visualization via Voxel Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in accurately visualizing anatomical changes during surgeries, particularly in spinal procedures, and often require additional intraoperative imaging, which can lead to increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor and memory that receives an image of an anatomical element, segments it into voxels, tracks a surgical instrument interacting with the anatomy, identifies the affected voxels, modifies their visual depiction, and renders the updated image in real-time, without the need for new imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional intraoperative imaging is performed to visualize anatomical changes, then visualization accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy through 3D modeling from preoperative imaging data. This digital twin is then updated in real-time by mapping surgical instrument positions and simulated resection actions onto the virtual model, eliminating the need for repeated physical imaging during surgery while maintaining accurate visualization of anatomical changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the physical imaging mechanism (X-ray/CT scanners) with a computational model. Instead of using radiation-based imaging equipment during surgery, the system uses software-based 3D rendering and virtual reality technology to display anatomical structures and surgical progress, substituting mechanical imaging systems with information processing systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time visualization of anatomical changes is achieved without additional imaging, then radiation exposure is reduced, but visualization accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops where surgical instrument positions are continuously tracked during the procedure, and this real-time data is fed back into the 3D model to update the virtual anatomy display. This ensures the visualization remains synchronized with actual surgical progress, maintaining accuracy without requiring additional imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary 3D modeling and segmentation of anatomical structures from preoperative imaging data before surgery begins. This pre-processing creates a detailed virtual representation that can be efficiently updated during surgery through computational methods, ensuring high-quality visualization is ready in advance and can be maintained throughout the procedure without additional imaging.
3Manufacturing precision
If 3D models are updated in real-time during surgery, then surgical precision is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the 3D anatomical model into discrete volumetric elements (voxels) and organizes them in a data structure that allows efficient updating. When resection occurs, only the affected voxels need to be modified and re-rendered, rather than recalculating the entire 3D model, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining surgical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a dynamic 3D modeling approach where the virtual anatomy can be modified in real-time to reflect surgical progress. The model transitions from a static preoperative representation to a dynamic intraoperative visualization that adapts as surgery progresses, allowing precise tracking of anatomical changes without requiring complete model regeneration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a processor; and a memory storing data thereon that, when processed by the processor, enable the processor to: receive an image depicting an anatomical element; segment the image into a segmented image that includes a plurality of voxels; track a portion of a surgical instrument as the portion of the surgical instrument interacts with the anatomical element; identify, based on the tracking, an area from the segmented image representative of a section of the anatomical element that interacts with the portion of the surgical instrument; modify one or more voxels from the plurality of voxels that reside within the area identified from the segmented image as being representative of the section of the anatomical element that interacts with the portion of the surgical instrument; and render, to a display, the segmented image showing the modified one or more voxels.