Cylindrical Reference Means for Computer-Assisted Surgery Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-assisted surgery methods face challenges in accurately positioning medical devices due to the need for separate reference bodies with fiducial markers, which are cumbersome, require invasive attachment, and limit the field of view, leading to increased radiation exposure and surgical complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of cylindrical reference means, such as existing drill guide holes or locking holes in medical devices, which serve as simple and explicit shapes for image-based tracking, eliminating the need for additional markers and allowing for rapid and robust object tracking with minimal radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate reference bodies with fiducial markers are used for tracking, then position determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and surgical workflow complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference body functionality directly into the medical device by integrating fiducial markers onto the device itself. This eliminates the need for separate reference bodies and their invasive attachment procedures, thereby reducing device complexity and surgical workflow complexity while maintaining position determination accuracy through the integrated markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical device is designed to serve multiple functions: it performs its primary medical function while simultaneously serving as a reference body for tracking through integrated fiducial markers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tracking equipment and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are distributed over the reference body for tracking, then position determination accuracy is improved, but the field of view is limited and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from separate reference bodies and integrates it directly into the medical device. By placing fiducial markers directly on the medical device, the system achieves position determination accuracy without requiring additional reference bodies that would limit the field of view and increase radiation exposure from multiple imaging sources.
3Measurement precision
If reference bodies are rigidly attached to medical devices, then tracking accuracy is improved, but surgical time increases and surgical handling is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference body and medical device into a single integrated unit with fiducial markers directly attached to or formed as part of the medical device structure. This integration eliminates the time-consuming separate attachment process while maintaining rigid connection for accurate tracking, thereby reducing surgical time without compromising tracking accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If multiple tracking devices are used to interlink the patient with the operational plan, then surgical guidance accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device is designed to perform both its primary medical function and serve as a tracking reference simultaneously through integrated fiducial markers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate tracking devices and complex interlinking systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining surgical guidance accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for computer assisted determination of values of correction parameters for positioning a medical device relative to a target structure or to a reference base. The method includes a numerical procedure that includes the steps of:i) automatic detection of the projection of a cylindrical reference means in a medical image and determination of a minimum of four characteristic landmarks within the projection of the cylindrical reference means;ii) generating a virtual geometric representation of the cylindrical reference means;iii) determining the virtual projection points representing the characteristic landmarks using a virtual geometric representation of the cylindrical reference means; andiv) iterative determination of the position and orientation of the cylindrical reference means by matching the virtual projection points of the virtual geometric representation of the cylindrical reference means with the characteristic landmarks of the projection of the cylindrical reference means.