Arthroscopic Video-IMU Fusion for Surgical Site Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation systems for arthroscopic procedures require invasive external tracking devices, increasing procedure complexity and risk, necessitating a method to track the surgical site without additional instruments.
Innovation Solution
A system that fuses arthroscopic video data with inertial measurement unit (IMU) data to create a map of the surgical site, eliminating the need for external tracking devices by using an arthroscopic assembly, IMU, and processor to combine images and measurements, apply filters, and update the surgical plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external tracking devices are used for surgical navigation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from external devices and integrates it into the arthroscope itself by mounting an IMU directly on the arthroscope shaft. This eliminates the need for separate external tracking devices and their associated fiducial markers, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining localization accuracy through direct sensor integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The arthroscope is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the imaging device and the tracking device. By integrating the IMU into the arthroscope assembly, the system combines visualization and localization functions into a single multi-functional instrument, eliminating the need for separate external tracking devices.
2Measurement precision
If external tracking devices with fiducial markers are used, then localization accuracy is improved, but invasiveness and surgical risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for invasive fiducial marker placement by extracting the tracking function to the arthroscope itself. The IMU mounted on the arthroscope provides localization without requiring any additional instruments or markers to be placed in or on the patient's body, thereby eliminating the invasiveness and associated surgical risks.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate tracking instruments are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tracking function with the arthroscope by integrating an IMU directly onto the arthroscope shaft. This combination eliminates the need to manage multiple separate tracking instruments and their associated fiducial markers, significantly simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining accurate localization through the integrated sensor system.
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
Enables accurate surgical navigation without invasive tracking devices, reducing procedure complexity and risk while maintaining precision.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a plurality of measurements from the IMU
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for fusing arthroscopic video data are described. A system comprises an arthroscopic assembly, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted on the arthroscopic assembly, a processor, and a processor-readable storage medium. An arthroscopic surgical plan, images from the arthroscopic assembly, and measurements from the IMU may be obtained. The images and the measurements may be combined to form a data combination. The data combination may be filtered to form a fused data set. The fused data set may control a device. A map of an arthroscopic surgical site may be created based on the fused data set, and a position of the arthroscopic assembly with respect to the arthroscopic surgical site may be calculated. The arthroscopic surgical plan may be updated based on at least one of the map of the arthroscopic surgical site and the position of the arthroscopic assembly.