Implant Configuration Planning With Image-Guided ROI Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation systems for surgical and other procedures face challenges in accurately tracking and positioning implants relative to anatomical structures, particularly in complex environments where direct visualization is obstructed, and in efficiently planning implant configurations using image data.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system that integrates electromagnetic and optical tracking with machine learning algorithms to automatically segment anatomical features, allowing for real-time tracking and planning of implant configurations based on computed tomography or magnetic resonance image data, using a neural network to identify boundaries and poses of vertebrae, and superimposing tracked instruments on reconstructed images for precise surgical guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detailed procedural information is provided, then completeness and accuracy are improved, but complexity and difficulty of processing increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedural accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the procedural information into discrete steps, each with specific parameters (e.g., resection amount, graft placement position). This segmentation allows the system to process complex procedures by breaking them down into manageable units, improving accuracy while reducing overall system complexity through modular processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (procedural parameter set) that mediates between the detailed procedural information and the surgical navigation system. This intermediary layer organizes complex information into standardized parameters, enabling accurate procedure execution without requiring the entire system to process all detailed information at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time navigation is implemented, then operational precision is improved, but computational requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing navigational parameters, transformation matrices, and procedural step sequences before surgery. This allows the real-time navigation system to retrieve and apply pre-processed information, achieving high surgical precision while reducing the computational burden during actual surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the procedural parameters and navigation data that can be independently processed and retrieved. This copy allows the system to maintain real-time navigation capabilities without requiring continuous complex computations, as the pre-generated navigational paths and parameter sets can be quickly accessed and applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If comprehensive procedural parameters are captured, then procedure completeness is improved, but data processing time and system response increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential procedural parameters needed for navigation and visualization, separating them from redundant detailed information. By taking out and focusing on critical parameters (such as resection boundaries, graft positions, and anatomical landmarks), the system maintains procedure completeness while significantly reducing data processing time and improving system response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4142633B1A system and method for planning an implant configuration for a procedure
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MEDTRONIC NAVIGATION INC
  • EP4142633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4142633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4142633B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed is a system to assist in a procedure. During the procedure an object may be moved relative to a subject, such as being positioned and/or placed within a subject. The system and related method may be used to assist in displaying and/or determining a pose of the object relative to a subject, such as rigid portions of a subject. The system comprises a processor system configured to execute instructions to: access an image data of a subject having at least a first portion and a second portion of the subject; analyze a region of interest (ROI) between the first portion and the second portion; determine a ROI geometry of the region of interest; access a model of an object, the model including at least (i) a dimension of a rigid portion of the object and (ii) a plurality of possible configurations of a configurable portion of the object; and analyze the accessed model to determine an optimal fit of the object to achieve the ROI geometry; and output a result of the analysis of the accessed model.