Digital Marker Tracking in Arthroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face difficulties in accurately annotating and re-locating specific anatomical locations during arthroscopic procedures due to the limitations of conventional methods, which lack precision and often result in skin and bone damage from physical trackers, and fail to provide effective comparison across patients.
Innovation Solution
A system for creating, viewing, and evaluating digital markers on patient anatomy using an arthroscopic imaging device, display device, input device, and processor, which applies digital markers fixed to anatomical landmarks, allowing for real-time image display and guidance through visual overlays and data maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical trackers are used to mark 3D points on anatomy, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to skin and bone damage from anchor insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital markers that are optical copies or virtual representations of physical markers. Instead of inserting physical trackers into the anatomy, the system captures images of the anatomy and places digital markers on these images. The digital markers are then tracked through image sequences to maintain precise 3D location information without any physical intrusion into the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical trackers and anchors with an optical/image-based system. The tracking is achieved through computer vision and image processing techniques that follow digital markers across image sequences, substituting mechanical insertion and physical tracking with optical detection and computational tracking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are re-positioned multiple times during procedure, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to loss of marked location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous tracking of digital markers through multiple camera views and image sequences. The system maintains the useful action of location tracking by processing a sequence of images and continuously updating the position of digital markers, allowing the camera to be repositioned while maintaining unbroken tracking of the marked locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple camera views and image sequences to continuously update and verify the position of digital markers. When the camera is repositioned, the system processes new images and uses the digital markers as reference points to maintain accurate location information, providing feedback that confirms the continued precision of marked locations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If digital markers are used instead of physical trackers, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases due to image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The arthroscopic camera system performs multiple functions: it captures surgical images and simultaneously tracks digital markers for 3D location marking. The same imaging hardware and processing system that provides surgical visualization also provides precise location tracking, eliminating the need for separate physical tracker systems and reducing overall device complexity despite the added computational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displaying an intraoperative user interface for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The system comprises an arthroscopic imaging device, a display device, an input device, a processor, and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium. The arthroscopic imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of a patient anatomy within a joint of a patient. The input device is configured to receive input from a user. The processor is configured to receive the images from the arthroscopic imaging device and display a user interface on the display device that includes the images from the arthroscopic imaging device. The processor is also configured to receive the input from the input device, display one or more visual overlays over the one or more images based on the input, and apply one or more digital markers in a fixed location on the one or more images based on the input.