Intraoperative Micro-CT Imaging for Tissue Margin Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for ensuring complete removal of target tissues during surgeries, such as tumor excisions, face challenges in accurately determining the margins of excised samples due to miscommunication between surgeons and radiologists regarding tissue orientation, leading to potential incomplete resections and the need for additional procedures.
Innovation Solution
A portable micro-CT imaging system with local reconstruction and rendering capabilities is integrated into the operating room, providing a two-pane user interface with a perspective view and selectable cross-sectional images, allowing real-time feedback to surgeons and reducing scan times to under 15 minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional volumetric imaging methods are used with remote radiologist analysis, then complete tissue removal can be determined, but miscommunication about tissue orientation occurs leading to incomplete resections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate system that serves as a common reference frame between the imaging system and surgical navigation. This coordinate system acts as a mediator that translates tissue orientation information from the imaging modality into a format that surgeons can understand and apply during resection, eliminating the communication gap that previously led to misorientation and incomplete tissue removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual method of orientation transfer (physical markers, visual inspection) with a computational coordinate transformation system. The system automatically calculates and applies coordinate transformations between different reference frames, substituting manual orientation procedures with automated mathematical transformations that preserve spatial relationships and eliminate human error in orientation interpretation.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive volumetric scanning is performed to ensure complete target removal, then accurate margin determination is achieved, but scan time increases to over 15 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing volumetric scanning only on the specific region containing the target tissue and its immediate margins, rather than scanning the entire tissue sample or surrounding areas. This selective scanning approach captures sufficient information for accurate margin determination while significantly reducing the total scan time to under 15 minutes by omitting unnecessary scanning of distant or already-characterized regions.
3Loss of information
If detailed cross-sectional views are provided to radiologists, then accurate orientation understanding is achieved, but data transmission complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the critical orientation information needed for surgical decision-making, rather than transmitting complete volumetric datasets or multiple detailed cross-sectional views. By selecting and presenting only the essential anatomical landmarks, coordinate transformations, and margin measurements, the system reduces data transmission complexity while maintaining accurate orientation communication between radiologists and surgeons.
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
Enhances surgeon comprehension of imaging data, reduces the need for revision surgeries by ensuring complete target tissue removal during a single procedure, and improves communication between surgeons and radiologists through intuitive imaging interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an imager is operable to image samples of interest
Implementation Method 2
computerized tomography (CT) or other volumetric imaging modalities, potentially in concert with an imaging contrast agent, to develop a three-dimensional scan of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for improved intra-operative micro-CT imaging of explanted tissue samples and for improved visualization of such samples. These embodiments provide for reduced scan times and the ability for radiologists to quickly receive useful scan imagery and to provide accurately-communicated recommendations to the operating surgeon. Improved scan visualization methods facilitate surgeon and radiologist interaction with the scan data, including of annotation, viewing, and re-orientation to accurately reflect the orientation of imaged tissue samples relative to the body prior to explantation. Improved visualization methods include color-coded sample texturing to indicate sample orientation, color-coded tumor visualization to indicate proximity to sample margins, and intuitive methods for adjusting the location and orientation of two-dimensional visualizations relative to the sample.