Bone Marker Axis Registration Using 2D Updates for 3D Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging techniques for surgical navigation face challenges such as erroneous or low-quality image data registration, high radiation exposure due to frequent high-resolution image data acquisition, and obstruction of surgical views by trackers or fiducial markers, which can lead to incorrect surgeries and increased patient risk.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatic or semi-automatic image data registration using bone markers with longitudinal axes, allowing registration of local coordinate systems within a global coordinate system, utilizing 2-dimensional image data to update high-resolution 3-dimensional data, minimizing radiation exposure and maintaining high-quality image registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution image data is acquired repeatedly during surgery to maintain accurate registration, then registration precision is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the registration problem into two parts: initial high-resolution 3D image acquisition for accurate baseline registration, followed by updates using lower-resolution 2D fluoroscopic images. This segmentation allows maintaining registration precision while reducing radiation exposure during updates, as 2D images require significantly lower radiation doses than repeated 3D scans.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of acquiring full high-resolution 3D images for every registration update, the patent uses partial action by acquiring only necessary 2D fluoroscopic images that capture specific anatomical regions of interest. This partial imaging approach provides sufficient information for registration updates while minimizing radiation exposure compared to complete volumetric scanning.
2Measurement precision
If patient trackers are rigidly attached to patient anatomy for continuous pose tracking, then registration updates are improved, but surgical view obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from physical patient trackers and implements it through image-based detection of bone markers in fluoroscopic images. By removing the physical tracker device, the solution eliminates the obstruction problem while maintaining the ability to track and update registration accuracy through automated detection of marker positions and orientations in 2D images.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical trackers attached to the patient, the patent creates a virtual model by detecting and tracking the positions and orientations of bone markers in 2D fluoroscopic images. This digital copy of the tracking function eliminates the need for physical devices that would obstruct the surgical field, while still providing accurate pose information for registration updates.
3Measurement precision
If multiple fiducial markers are placed in bone for registration purposes, then registration accuracy is improved, but surgical view obstruction and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of bone markers obstructing the surgical view into a benefit by making the markers themselves the target for automated detection and tracking. The markers are designed to be easily detectable in fluoroscopic images, allowing their positions and orientations to be automatically measured to update registration accuracy. This approach minimizes the number of markers needed compared to traditional optical trackers, reducing obstruction while maintaining or improving registration precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for image data registration is provided. The method comprises receiving first image data. The first image data are indicative of bone and of at least one bone marker placed therein, the bone marker having a longitudinal axis. The method also comprises determining a first orientation of the longitudinal axis of the at least one bone marker based on the first image data, receiving second image data indicative of the bone and of the at least one bone marker placed therein, and determining a second orientation of the longitudinal axis of the at least one bone marker based on the second image data. Further still, the method comprises registering, based at least one the first and second orientation of the longitudinal axis of the at least one bone marker, a first local coordinate system associated with at least a segment of the first image data within a global coordinate system.