Head-Mounted EO Camera for Surgical Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical guidance systems are impractical for procedures like Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty due to their inability to provide precise, intuitive spatial measurements without obstructing the surgeon's view or interfering with the surgical team's workflow, and they often rely on stationary cameras and generic patient models, which reduce accuracy and increase procedure duration.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computer, display device, and a movable electro-optical camera mounted on the surgeon's head, with multiple carriers and targets that allow for simultaneous tracking of the patient and surgical instruments, enabling precise, intuitive guidance using patient-specific 3D models and allowing the camera to move freely during the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stationary camera is used for surgical guidance, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary camera into a movable camera system. The camera can be positioned and oriented freely during surgery, allowing it to track surgical instruments and implants from multiple angles. This dynamic positioning capability enables precise spatial measurements while adapting to the changing surgical environment, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces carriers with targets as intermediary elements. These carriers are attached to surgical instruments and implants, serving as mediators between the camera and the surgical objects. The targets on the carriers provide reference points for the camera to accurately measure positions and orientations, enabling high precision measurements without requiring direct complex interaction between the camera and surgical tools.
2Productivity
If a stationary camera is used, then the device complexity is low, but the procedure duration increases due to repositioning needs
Solution Approach 1:
The movable camera system allows the camera to dynamically reposition itself during surgery without requiring system shutdown or complex reconfiguration. The camera can be quickly moved to different positions and orientations to maintain optimal viewing angles of surgical instruments and implants, significantly reducing time losses compared to stationary systems that would require physical repositioning of the entire camera setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical repositioning of the camera with computational methods. The system uses software to process images from the movable camera and calculate precise spatial coordinates through image analysis and triangulation algorithms. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational intelligence enables rapid adaptation to different surgical scenarios without time-consuming physical adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If generic patient models are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of surgical guidance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating patient-specific 3D models before surgery based on pre-operative imaging data (CT or MRI scans). These customized models are prepared in advance and integrated into the surgical guidance system, allowing for precise pre-planning of implant positions and surgical approaches. This preliminary customization eliminates the need for complex intraoperative model creation while achieving high surgical guidance precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of the patient's actual anatomy from medical imaging data to create accurate 3D virtual models. These digital copies replicate the patient's unique anatomical features, bone structures, and tissue characteristics, enabling precise surgical planning and guidance. The copying approach from pre-operative images provides high-fidelity patient-specific models without requiring complex physical modeling during surgery.
4Measurement precision
If multiple carriers with targets are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing carriers that can serve multiple functions: they attach to different surgical instruments and implants, provide tracking targets for the camera, and can be positioned at various locations in the surgical field. The standardized carrier design with identifiable targets enables a single type of carrier to work with multiple surgical tools, reducing the variety of components the surgical team must manage while maintaining high measurement precision through consistent target geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for precision guidance of surgical procedures on a patient is disclosed. Aspects of the system may include: a three-dimensional digital representation of a pre-procedural geometry of a relevant part of the patient, a three-dimensional digital representation of an intended post-procedural geometry of the relevant part of the patient including any implant or other structures intended to be attached to the patient, and a movable electro-optical (EO) camera mounted in a known position and orientation relative to a surgeon, such as a head mount. Further aspects of the system may include a first carrier comprising at least 3 targets to be observed by the EO camera, wherein the first carrier may be mounted in a known first position and first orientation relative to the relevant part of the patient, and a second carrier comprising at least 3 targets to be observed by the EO camera, wherein the second carrier may be mounted in a known second position and second orientation relative to an implant or surgical instrument. Embodiments of the system may include a computer for calculating, based on observations from the EO camera, relative positions of the first and second carriers and of the EO camera. Embodiments of the system may also include software, residing on the computer, configured to calculate a relevant projection of a digital representation of the patient to be displayed in order for the displayed projection to match with the surgeon's current physical view of the patient.