Automated 3D Brain Atlas Fitting Using Neurophysiological Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Current deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical navigation systems fail to accurately re-fit brain atlases to intra-operative neurophysiological data, leading to inaccurate target localization due to brain shift during surgery, and require time-consuming manual refitting processes.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that uses a brain atlas transformation engine to constrain the optimization of fitting a three-dimensional brain atlas to intra-operative neurophysiological data, such as microelectrode recordings, to provide a consistent and accurate alignment, reducing human variability and surgical time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual refitting of the brain atlas is performed, then the atlas can be adjusted to account for brain shift, but the process is time-consuming and requires precious surgical time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget localization accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of atlas refitting with an automated computational algorithm. The system automatically transforms the pre-operative brain atlas to the intra-operative coordinate system by optimizing the transformation parameters based on the recorded electrode positions and neurophysiological data, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically using the intra-operative neurophysiological data and electrode positions to constrain and optimize the atlas transformation. The algorithm self-adjusts the atlas configuration based on the actual surgical conditions without requiring external manual input, thereby reducing both time consumption and operator variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual refitting of the brain atlas is performed, then the atlas can be adjusted to account for brain shift, but the process is inconsistent from user to user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget localization accuracyVSAvoidconsistency of refitting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of atlas refitting with an automated computational algorithm. The system automatically transforms the pre-operative brain atlas to the intra-operative coordinate system by optimizing the transformation parameters based on the recorded electrode positions and neurophysiological data, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically using the intra-operative neurophysiological data and electrode positions to constrain and optimize the atlas transformation. The algorithm self-adjusts the atlas configuration based on the actual surgical conditions without requiring external manual input, thereby reducing both time consumption and operator variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If 2D brain atlas slices are used, then the anatomical reference is provided, but the spatial resolution is limited and oblique angles are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical reference provisionVSAvoidtarget localization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional atlas slices to a three-dimensional brain atlas representation. This dimensional change enables the system to provide anatomical reference in all spatial directions, including oblique angles, while maintaining the ease of operation through automated 3D rendering and visualization. The 3D atlas can be displayed in multiple orientations and planes, giving users comprehensive anatomical context without the resolution limitations of 2D slices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2222225B1Automated 3D brain atlas fitting using intra-operative neurophysiological data

Publication Date: 2016.10.19 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

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AI summary

A method includes storing in memory pre-operative brain atlas data (104). Neurophysiological data is obtained intra-operatively for a plurality of known sites in a brain of a given patient to provide corresponding intra-operative neurophysiological data (106) for at least a portion of the sites. A constrained optimization is performed (102) to fit the pre-operative brain atlas data (104) based at least in part on the intra-operative neurophysiological data (106).