Intra-Operative 3D Scanner for Automated Bone Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical alignment systems for joint replacement surgeries, such as knee replacements, face challenges with identifying anatomical landmarks intraoperatively and require time-consuming manual registration processes, leading to inconsistencies and increased surgical time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intra-operative 3D scanner and processor system that generates 3D images of bone surfaces, identifies anatomical landmarks, and calculates surgical positions without the need for optical trackers, using machine learning and artificial intelligence for instant registration and guidance during surgeries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional alignment systems use manual identification of anatomical landmarks, then the system is simpler and easier to operate, but the precision and reliability of surgical alignment deteriorates due to surgeon dependency and inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification of anatomical landmarks with an automated optical 3D scanning system. The scanner captures bone surface geometry and uses image processing algorithms to automatically identify anatomical landmarks, eliminating surgeon dependency and improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the bone surface through optical scanning. This digital model allows for precise identification of anatomical landmarks without physically touching or marking the bone, and enables repeatable measurements that are not dependent on manual palpation techniques.
2Measurement precision
If optical trackers are used for computer-assisted surgery registration, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and surgical time increase due to tracker placement and fixation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the optical tracker component from the registration system. Instead of requiring external trackers to be attached to bones for registration, the system uses direct 3D scanning of bone surfaces to establish coordinate systems and perform registration, thereby removing the time-consuming tracker placement and fixation steps while maintaining registration precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone surfaces themselves serve as the registration reference through their unique geometric features. The 3D scanning system captures these inherent surface characteristics and uses them for automatic registration, eliminating the need for external trackers and reducing surgical time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If manual registration techniques are used in computer-assisted surgery, then the system is easier to implement, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming registration processes and surgeon training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual registration procedures with automated image processing algorithms. The system automatically identifies anatomical landmarks from 3D scan data through computer vision techniques, eliminating the need for surgeon training in manual registration techniques and significantly improving surgical efficiency through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration system performs self-registration by automatically identifying anatomical landmarks and establishing coordinate systems without human intervention. The algorithm processes the 3D scan data and completes the registration process autonomously, improving productivity while implementing a high level of automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include surgical systems that provide a cost-effective, accurate, and efficient system for performing surgical procedures. In one aspect of the disclosure, a surgical system utilizes an intra-operative 3D scanner that can be used to determine anatomical landmarks and calculate surgical positions based on such anatomical landmarks. In some examples, aspects of the present disclosure also include providing guidance information for guiding the placement of a surgical instrument according to the calculated surgical positions.