Digital Marker Placement in Neurosurgical Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopy systems for neurosurgical applications fail to account for tissue deformations and microscope movements, leading to inaccuracies in digital marker placement and retrieval during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system that uses image-based information and parameter settings to generate and store digital markers, allowing for their robust placement and retrieval, even with tissue deformations and microscope movements, without the need for external sensors or markers, by integrating a camera, storage and evaluation unit, and control unit to manage and display these markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external navigation devices or special markers are used for digital marking, then marker placement and retrieval accuracy is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the surgical site using pre-operative imaging data (CT, MRI) and overlays it with real-time endoscopic images. This digital twin allows markers to be placed and retrieved accurately without physical navigation devices or special markers, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical navigation systems and physical markers with a computer vision-based system that uses image processing and software algorithms to achieve marker placement and retrieval, eliminating the need for complex external navigation hardware
2Loss of information
If physical markers are used to mark important points, then marker visibility and documentation are improved, but tissue coverage and potential position changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual digital markers overlaid on endoscopic images instead of physical markers on tissue. These digital markers are documented in the software system and can be retrieved later without covering or disturbing the actual tissue, eliminating the harmful effects of physical markers while maintaining documentation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software-based intermediary layer that places virtual markers in the digital image space rather than physically on tissue. This intermediary digital layer allows for complete documentation and retrieval without direct contact with or coverage of the tissue
3Device complexity
If traditional microscopy systems are used without deformation compensation, then system simplicity is maintained, but marker retrieval accuracy deteriorates due to tissue deformations and microscope movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously tracks the position of anatomical landmarks and adjusts the digital model to compensate for tissue deformations and microscope movements. This feedback loop maintains marker retrieval accuracy without requiring complex external navigation hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic digital model that adapts to changing surgical conditions in real-time. The system continuously updates the registration between pre-operative images and current endoscopic views to account for tissue deformations and microscope movements, maintaining accuracy throughout the procedure
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system (1) includes a microscope and a camera (3) for generating and recording image-based information on an area of observation. A storage and evaluation unit (4) is connected to the microscope (2) and the camera (3) for detecting parameter settings of the microscope associated with the image-based information. A display (5) renders visible the digital image of the area of observation, and a control unit (6) is connected to the storage and evaluation unit (4) and to the display (5). The control unit (6) places digital markers for marking observed objects in a digital image of the area of observation and displays the digital markers on the display (5). The storage and evaluation unit (4) selects and stores information on each digital marker so that the marker can be associated at a later point in time with the position of the observed object.