Eye Tracking Surgical Trajectory Planning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical trajectory planning methods are time-consuming, prone to human error, and impose a significant cognitive burden on surgeons, as they rely on mental modeling of anatomical structures from two-dimensional or resliced three-dimensional images, which can lead to increased operating time and risks during complex procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing eye tracking data to render three-dimensional models of anatomical structures, identify a line of sight for a target site, and determine a surgical trajectory that avoids key structures, thereby reducing cognitive load and improving planning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgeons review multiple two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to create a mental model for trajectory planning, then the surgical trajectory can be devised, but the process becomes time-consuming and imposes significant cognitive burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy using 3D imaging data (CT or MRI scans). This virtual anatomical model allows surgeons to plan trajectories in a simulated environment without needing to mentally reconstruct the anatomy from multiple 2D images. The system renders the target site, entry point, and trajectory path in the virtual model, providing accurate spatial relationships directly rather than requiring cognitive synthesis of multiple images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an eye-tracking-based intermediary system that captures the surgeon's natural visual exploration of the 3D anatomical model. The eye tracker records gaze points and uses them to automatically identify the target site and compute the trajectory, acting as a mediator between the surgeon's intuitive visual inspection and the computational trajectory planning. This eliminates the need for the surgeon to manually process multiple images while maintaining accurate trajectory determination.
2Ease of operation
If surgeons create a mental model from multiple images, then trajectory planning is possible, but the process is susceptible to error
Solution Approach 1:
By using a computer-generated 3D virtual model that accurately replicates the patient's anatomy from imaging data, the system provides a reliable and error-free representation of the anatomical structures. This virtual copy eliminates errors that arise from manual mental reconstruction, ensuring consistent and accurate spatial relationships between the target site, entry point, and surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The eye-tracking system provides feedback by monitoring the surgeon's gaze patterns and using them to automatically identify the target site and compute the trajectory. This feedback mechanism ensures that the trajectory planning is based on the surgeon's actual visual inspection of the 3D model, reducing errors from subjective interpretation while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the mental model is incorrect, then trajectory adjustments are needed in the operating room, but this increases operating time and risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs trajectory planning in advance during the preoperative phase, using the 3D virtual anatomical model to determine the optimal trajectory before surgery. This preliminary action allows sufficient time for careful planning and verification without pressuring the surgeon during the actual surgery, ensuring high accuracy while maintaining efficiency. The trajectory is finalized before the patient enters the operating room, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The accurate 3D virtual model serves as a reliable preliminary plan that can be reviewed and adjusted if needed before surgery. This virtual copy allows the surgical team to verify the trajectory's accuracy and make any necessary adjustments in the comfortable preoperative setting, ensuring high reliability while maintaining surgical efficiency by avoiding intraoperative changes.
4Measurement precision
If surgeons use traditional image review methods, then trajectory planning can be performed, but the cognitive burden on the surgeon is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the surgeon's cognitive mechanical process of mentally reconstructing anatomy from multiple 2D images with an automated computational system. The eye-tracking device captures the surgeon's natural visual exploration, and the computer automatically processes this data to identify the target site and compute the trajectory. This substitution eliminates the complex cognitive burden while maintaining accurate trajectory determination through automated image processing and 3D rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified 3D virtual copy of the anatomy that presents all necessary spatial information in an intuitive format. This virtual model allows the surgeon to directly visualize the target site and trajectory without needing to mentally integrate multiple 2D images, significantly reducing cognitive complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through accurate 3D rendering and eye-tracking-based target identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for surgical trajectory planning, particularly useful for deep brain stimulation. A three-dimensional model of an anatomical structure is rendered, which includes a target site. As the user gazes into the model, eye tracking data is obtained and a line of sight for the target site is identified. A surgical trajectory is determined along the line of sight between the target site and a surgical entry point on the surface of the anatomical structure. The method allows the identification of an optimal surgical trajectory to reach the target site while avoiding key structures within the anatomical structure, such as blood vessels, sulci, ventricles. Advantageously, the model is rendered in a virtual environment, and the eye tracking data is obtained from a VR headset.