2-DoF Articulating Handheld Tool Alignment for ACL Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for aligning tools with axes, such as in ACL reconstruction, are prone to inaccuracies due to limited visibility and complex anatomical access, leading to poor tunnel placement and increased failure rates.
Innovation Solution
A computer-assisted system using a 2-DoF articulating hand-held device with a tracking system and computing system to align tools with planned axes based on pre-procedure data, ensuring precise alignment through real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-held instrumentation is used to align a drill in ACL reconstruction, then the surgeon can perform the procedure with conventional tools, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates due to limited visibility and complex anatomical access
Solution Approach 1:
A computer-assisted medical system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the anatomical structures. The system includes a tracking system that monitors the position of surgical tools and a display system that provides real-time visual feedback about tool alignment with the planned axis, enabling accurate tunnel placement without relying solely on direct visual inspection through arthroscopes
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model (copy) of the patient's anatomy based on pre-procedure imaging data. This virtual model includes a planned axis for tunnel drilling that is superimposed on the real-time tracking data of the drill position, allowing the surgeon to align the physical drill with the virtual planned axis through visual feedback on the display
2Ease of operation
If arthroscopic visualization is used during ACL reconstruction, then the surgeon can operate through small incisions, but the 3D view of anatomical structures deteriorates to a limited 2D view
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a virtual dimension to the arthroscopic procedure. By superimposing a virtual model of the anatomy and the planned axis onto the real-time tracking data, the system provides three-dimensional spatial information on a two-dimensional display, restoring the loss of 3D visualization while maintaining the benefits of arthroscopic access
3Manufacturing precision
If computer-assisted alignment system is used to improve tunnel placement accuracy, then the precision of tool alignment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer-assisted medical system is designed to be versatile and adaptable to different surgical procedures and anatomical variations. The tracking system can monitor various surgical tools, the virtual model can be generated from different imaging modalities, and the display system can present multiple views and information types, making the system universally applicable rather than procedure-specific
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs complex calculations and transformations without requiring manual intervention. The tracking system continuously monitors tool position and automatically updates the virtual model alignment, the computer automatically calculates the optimal tunnel axis based on anatomical landmarks, and the display system automatically adjusts the visual feedback, reducing the cognitive load on the surgeon
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for aligning a tool with a targeted axis in tissue to perform a medical procedure. A medical plan is registered to the location of the tissue using a computer-assisted medical system, where the medical plan include a planned position for the targeted axis based on pre-procedure data. The tool is aligned with the planned position for the targeted axis using a computer-assisted medical system. The computer-assisted medical system includes a hand-held device having a handle and a working portion adjustable relative to the handle so as to orient the tool. A computing system is also provided comprising a tracking system and a control system for registering the medical plan to the location of the tissue, tracking the hand-held device relative to the tissue and the medical plan, and adjusting the working portion of the hand-held device relative to its handle.