AR-Assisted Trauma Fixation for Polyaxial Screw Collision Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone plate and screw systems, especially polyaxial fasteners, face challenges in accurately placing screws without colliding with each other or unintended anatomical structures during surgical procedures, particularly in complex fractures, due to the limitations of existing tracking systems that require large incisions or complex setups.
Innovation Solution
The use of augmented reality (AR) integrated with computer-assisted surgical navigation systems, including electromagnetic tracking with small diameter sensors and AR headsets, to provide real-time visual feedback and guidance for precise screw placement, allowing for minimally invasive procedures and reducing the risk of collisions with anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polyaxial fasteners are used to capture bone fragments at various angles, then the ability to secure fragmented bones is improved, but the risk of screws impacting each other or unintended anatomical structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fourth dimension of visualization by overlaying virtual screw trajectories onto the actual surgical field through an augmented reality headset. This allows the surgeon to see through the bone and visualize the three-dimensional paths of multiple screws simultaneously, enabling safe polyaxial fastener placement by identifying and avoiding collision zones that are not visible in traditional two-dimensional imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by continuously displaying the projected screw trajectories and anatomical structures during the insertion process. The augmented reality headset shows the actual path the screw will take, allowing the surgeon to adjust the insertion angle and depth to avoid collisions with other screws or anatomical structures, thereby safely achieving the desired adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional surgical navigation systems are used to guide screw placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the surgical setup and incision size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality headset serves as both the navigation display and the surgical guide simultaneously. The system processes pre-operative imaging data and automatically generates virtual screw trajectories that are overlaid onto the surgeon's field of view, eliminating the need for separate navigation monitors, complex mechanical arms, or large incisions for instrument placement. The surgeon directly observes the guidance information through the headset without additional setup complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple screws are inserted at various angles to secure severely comminuted bones, then the fixation stability is improved, but the difficulty of avoiding screw-to-screw collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality system visualizes multiple screw trajectories in three-dimensional space simultaneously within the surgeon's field of view. By projecting the virtual screw paths through the actual bone anatomy, the surgeon can detect potential collision zones between multiple screws at various angles, enabling safe polyaxial fastener placement that maintains fixation stability without screw-to-screw interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accuracy and safety of screw placement in complex fractures by providing real-time visual feedback and trajectory guidance, reducing the risk of collisions and improving surgical precision, thus facilitating more effective trauma plate fixation.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic tracking with small diameter sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and devices for performing computer-aided surgical navigation. Specifically, a system for augmented reality assisted trauma fixation, which displays various views of one or more tracked items, including a guide device, a fixation plate, a surgical tracking device, and an augmented reality display. The guide device having a tip, a handle, and a fixation guide. The fixation plate having at least one aperture designed to receive the tip of the guide. The surgical tracking device configured to track one or more trackable objects associated with the guide, fixation plate, and display, and thereby calculate a location of a fixation device, such as a screw, relative to the fixation plate.