Medical Instrument Alignment via Light Guiding Facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning medical instruments during minimally invasive procedures, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, rely on fluoroscopy, leading to increased radiation exposure and time consumption, as they often require iterative adjustments without pre-interventional 3D imaging.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising an alignment element with point-shaped markers, a processing unit for receiving medical image data, and a light guiding facility that emits a predefined light distribution to align medical objects with low x-ray dose and time efficiency, using two-dimensional imaging without the need for 3D navigation systems or pre-interventional planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy imaging is used for iterative repositioning and alignment of the intervention instrument, then positioning accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure increases and procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary 3D imaging and planning before the intervention procedure, creating a virtual model of the patient's anatomy and pre-calculating the optimal instrument trajectory. This preliminary action allows the actual procedure to proceed with minimal fluoroscopy usage, thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy through reference to the pre-planned virtual model
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy through 3D imaging and reconstructs the intervention instrument's position and orientation in this virtual model. By tracking the instrument in the virtual space rather than continuously imaging in real life, the system achieves accurate positioning guidance without requiring continuous fluoroscopy, thus reducing radiation exposure
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy imaging is used for iterative repositioning and alignment of the intervention instrument, then positioning accuracy is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary 3D imaging and planning before the intervention procedure, creating a virtual model of the patient's anatomy and pre-calculating the optimal instrument trajectory. This preliminary action allows the actual procedure to proceed with minimal fluoroscopy usage, thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy through reference to the pre-planned virtual model
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously tracks the intervention instrument's position and orientation using electromagnetic or optical tracking technology and provides real-time feedback by overlaying the instrument's current position with the pre-planned virtual trajectory. This feedback mechanism allows operators to make quick, informed adjustments without iterative fluoroscopy imaging, reducing procedure time while maintaining positioning accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If 3D imaging and pre-interventional planning are performed, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform: 3D image acquisition, virtual model reconstruction, trajectory planning, real-time instrument tracking, and visual feedback display. By combining these functions into a single integrated system rather than separate devices, the complexity is managed more efficiently while achieving high alignment precision through the synergistic interaction of all components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and efficient alignment of medical instruments with reduced radiation exposure and minimized repositioning, allowing for intuitive alignment by medical personnel using graphical representations and light guidance.
Implementation Method 1
the light guiding facility is configured to emit a predefined light distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for aligning a medical object with respect to an examination object includes an alignment element that may be fastened on or integrated into the medical object, having a number of at least point-shaped markers. The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to receive medical image data and identify positioning information relating to a positioning of the medical object. The apparatus includes a representation unit configured to show a graphical representation of the medical image data and an item of alignment information. The alignment information relating to the markers has a corresponding virtual continuation of the medical object in each case, which corresponds to virtual arrangements of the medical object. The apparatus includes a light guiding facility configured to emit a predefined light distribution such that one of the markers is illuminated by the light distribution when the medical object is aligned according to the corresponding virtual continuation.