Camera-Guided Rod Insertion Navigation for Accurate Pedicle Screw Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal surgery systems using pedicle screw robots are expensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the use of array sensors that restrict surgeon movement and provide inaccurate augmented reality images, posing risks of nerve damage and bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A real-time simulation-based rod insertion navigation system using cameras and markers on pedicle screws and a rod insertion device to provide accurate, real-time simulation images without array sensors, allowing for precise rod insertion surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional array sensors are used for tracking surgical instruments, then position tracking is achieved, but setup time increases and surgeon movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from complex array sensors and implements it using simple markers (circles or squares) that can be easily attached to surgical instruments. This extraction reduces setup time while maintaining position tracking accuracy through camera-based detection of these simplified markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual markers (2D images) that represent the surgical instruments and anatomical structures, creating a visual copy that can be tracked and displayed in augmented reality. These marker copies are detected by cameras and used to calculate real positions without requiring physical sensor arrays on each instrument.
2Measurement precision
If conventional array sensors are used for tracking surgical instruments, then position tracking is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential tracking function from complex array sensors and implements it using simple visual markers and camera systems. This reduces device complexity by replacing multiple sensors with a single camera that detects 2D marker images, while maintaining position tracking accuracy through image processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses 2D image markers as simplified representations (copies) of surgical instruments and anatomical landmarks. These visual copies are detected by standard cameras and processed to provide position information, eliminating the need for complex sensor arrays and reducing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If conventional array sensors are used for augmented reality display, then real-time imaging is provided, but image accuracy from actual bone position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where markers are placed on actual anatomical landmarks (bone surfaces) and on surgical instruments. The camera continuously detects these markers, calculates their positions and orientations, and uses this feedback to accurately register the augmented reality image with the actual bone position in real-time, improving both accuracy and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates accurate visual copies of anatomical structures and surgical instruments using 2D markers that are detected by cameras. These markers serve as fiducial references that enable precise registration of the augmented reality display with the actual patient anatomy, improving image accuracy while maintaining real-time performance.
4Ease of operation
If manual holding of surgical instruments is used, then surgeon flexibility is maintained, but insertion precision deteriorates due to error between theoretical and actual path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an optical measurement and feedback system. Cameras detect markers on surgical instruments and calculate their positions and orientations, providing real-time visual feedback to the surgeon. This substitution maintains surgeon flexibility while improving insertion precision by eliminating the error between theoretical and actual instrument paths through accurate visual guidance.
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
Reduces setup time, eliminates the need for complex devices, and enhances surgical precision by providing accurate real-time simulation images, enabling quick and safe rod insertion without restricting surgeon movement.
Implementation Method 1
An optical tracker detects light reflected from the array sensors and tracks the positions of the markers
Data Source
AI summary
A real-time simulation-based rod insertion navigation system includes a camera, a plurality of pedicle screws inserted into pedicles, a first marker attached to an upper portion of each of the plurality of pedicle screws, a rod insertion device equipped with a rod inserted into a side of heads of the plurality of pedicle screws, a second marker attached to the rod insertion device, and a control unit configured to, when the rod is inserted into the heads of the pedicle screws, determine a position and angle change of the pedicle screws and the rod insertion device equipped with the rod using an image captured by the camera of the first marker and the second marker, and display a real-time simulation image by synthesizing an image reflecting the position and angle changes of the pedicle screws and the rod insertion device equipped with the rod.