Interactive 3D Kidney Model for Surgical Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for kidney stone removal, such as percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy, rely on inefficient 2D cross-sectional images for planning, making it difficult for surgeons to intuitively visualize 3D spatial relationships and accurately measure critical anatomical structures like Infundibulo-pelvic Angle, Infundibular Width, and Inter-Calyx angles, which hinders the effectiveness and feasibility of the procedure.
Innovation Solution
An interactive 3D medical image processing system that allows users to place a virtual nephroscope and perform measurements directly in a 3D space, providing a full picture of anatomical structures and their relationships, enabling intuitive and accurate measurement of key parameters like Infundibulo-pelvic Angle, Infundibular Width, and Inter-Calyx angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 2D cross-sectional slices from CT are used for surgical planning, then the procedure can be performed with existing imaging equipment, but users cannot intuitively see the full picture and 3D spatial relationships among anatomic structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms 2D cross-sectional CT slices into a 3D virtual model of the kidney and surrounding anatomic structures. This dimensionality change allows surgeons to visually perceive spatial relationships, angles, and distances in three dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and loss of information.
2Productivity
If measurements are performed in 2D slice view, then the measurement process is simplified, but a physician needs to find a proper slice and the slice may not reflect the best angle for the desired measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables measurements to be performed directly in 3D space rather than constraining measurements to 2D slices. The virtual model allows arbitrary plane generation and measurement at optimal angles, improving both measurement efficiency and precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary 3D reconstruction and virtual model creation before the actual measurement process. This preliminary action establishes a comprehensive 3D framework that enables efficient and accurate measurements without the need to search through multiple 2D slices.
3Measurement precision
If 3D virtual model and interactive measurements are implemented, then intuitive visualization and measurement accuracy are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the kidney and surrounding structures from CT data. This virtual model replicates the anatomical geometry without requiring complex physical manipulation of actual specimens or complex hardware modifications, achieving high measurement precision while managing system complexity through software-based virtualization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present teaching relates to interactive medical image processing for surgical procedure planning. In one example, a three dimensional (3D) image of a kidney is obtained. The three dimensional image is rendered on a display screen. An input is received from a user specifying a location with respect to a representation of the kidney in the rendered three dimensional image. A representation of an instrument is rendered on the display screen based on the location. The instrument is automatically aligned with an infundibulum pathway of calyx at the location with respect to the kidney. A graphical line extension is rendered on the display screen to visualize the alignment of the instrument. One or more measurements related to the kidney are determined based on the location and an anatomical structure of the kidney.