Fluoroscopic Incision Marking With Adjustable Laser Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems lack the capability to accurately project incision markers onto patients without requiring additional tools or repeated irradiation, especially for regions like the spine that are not directly visible in standard imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method using a medical imaging system with a movable gantry and adjustable lasers to project incision markers onto a patient based on a captured fluoroscopic image, allowing virtual markers to be set and projected from a different direction, eliminating the need for additional tools and reducing the need for patient repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluoroscopic image is captured to identify regions of interest, then the point or region of interest can be marked in the image, but the position cannot be directly transferred to the patient's surface because the viewing direction differs from the projection direction
Solution Approach 1:
A computer acts as an intermediary to calculate and determine the position of the point or region of interest on the patient's surface based on the fluoroscopic image coordinates and the known geometric relationship between the imaging system and laser projection system. This mediator translates information between two different coordinate systems without requiring direct physical measurement on the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and direct visual alignment with an automated computational system that uses coordinate transformation algorithms. The computer automatically calculates the projection position based on image coordinates, eliminating the need for manual mechanical measurement and alignment procedures.
2Measurement precision
If additional tools or repeated irradiation are used to mark the patient's surface, then the position can be transferred accurately, but this increases the complexity of the procedure and exposes the patient to additional radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the point or region of interest from the fluoroscopic image and projects it onto the patient's surface using a laser. This optical copying method eliminates the need for repeated x-ray irradiation or additional physical marking tools, as the laser projection provides a visible marker without exposing the patient to further radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical marking tools and repeated radiographic procedures with an optical projection system. The laser projector creates a visible marker on the patient's surface based on computational transformation of the fluoroscopic image coordinates, eliminating harmful repeated radiation exposure.
3Device complexity
If the laser is rigidly attached to the gantry, then the system structure is simpler, but the laser cannot be adjusted to optimal positions for different projection directions
Solution Approach 1:
The laser is made dynamically adjustable relative to the gantry through a mounting mechanism that allows repositioning. This dynamic configuration enables the laser to be moved to optimal positions for different projection directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure, balancing structural simplicity with operational flexibility.
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
Enables precise marking of regions of interest on a patient's surface without additional tools or repeated irradiation, enhancing surgical planning by providing clear indicators for incisions without invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which is adjustable relative to the gantry (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
This document relates to technologies of projecting an incision marker onto a patient using a movable gantry carrying a medical imaging system and at least one laser which is adjustable relative to the gantry. The medical imaging system is used for capturing a fluoroscopic or x-ray image of at least a part of the patient from a viewing direction. Then a virtual marker is set in the captured image in order to indicate a point or region of interest, for example as a point or at least one line of an incision. Then the laser is used to indicate, from a projection direction different from the viewing direction, the point or region of interest onto the surface of the patient, thus making the point or region of interest visible from the outside.