3D Joint Damage Visualization System for Surgical Decision Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining and visualizing damage to anatomical joints are inefficient, as they only convey a fraction of the information gathered by medical experts, leading to inadequate decision support for surgeons and orthopedic staff.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves receiving medical image stacks, generating three-dimensional image representations, determining damage, marking anatomical structures, and creating a graphical user interface with manipulation and browsing functionalities to visualize and interact with 3D models of anatomical joints, allowing for more comprehensive communication of damage information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional annotation formats are used to communicate medical expert analysis, then the process is simple and easy to implement, but only a fraction of the information gathered by the medical expert can be communicated, leading to inadequate decision support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D annotation formats to 3D visualizations of anatomical joints, allowing comprehensive representation of damage information in three-dimensional space. This dimensional expansion enables complete communication of spatial relationships and damage characteristics that cannot be conveyed in traditional 2D annotations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital 3D copies of the anatomical joint based on medical imaging data (CT or MRI scans). These digital replicas preserve all structural information and allow for detailed visualization and manipulation without losing any original diagnostic information, thereby communicating the full extent of damage to surgeons.
2Reliability
If detailed 3D visualizations with manipulation functionalities are implemented, then comprehensive damage information can be communicated to surgeons, but the system complexity and development effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a unified 3D visualization platform: damage detection, 3D modeling, interactive manipulation, and communication tools. This multi-functional approach ensures reliable decision support while avoiding the need for multiple separate systems, thereby managing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that processes medical imaging data and generates 3D visualizations. This intermediary automates complex computational tasks including image segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and damage analysis, reducing the burden on medical experts while ensuring consistent and reliable information presentation.
3Productivity
If manual analysis and annotation by medical experts is used, then the implementation process is straightforward, but the efficiency and completeness of damage determination is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis methods with automated computer-based image processing and 3D visualization systems. This substitution dramatically increases productivity by automatically processing medical images and generating comprehensive damage assessments, while preserving all relevant information that would be difficult to capture through manual annotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining and visualizing damage to an anatomical joint of a patient. The system is to: obtain a three dimensional image representation of an anatomical joint which is based on a medical image stack; determine damage to an anatomical structure in the anatomical joint by analyzing the medical image stack; mark damage to the anatomical structures in the obtained three dimensional image representation; obtain a 3D model based on the three dimensional image representation; and create a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may comprise: functionality to visualize and enable manipulation of the at least one 3D model; functionality to enable removal of the visualization of the anatomical structure from the 3D model; functionality to visualize and enable browsing of the medical image stack; and functionality to visualize the position of the medical image that is currently visualized.