Surgical Microscope Image Navigation for Precise Dental Entry Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems for dental procedures, such as root canal therapy, are complex, time-consuming, and prone to human error, leading to inaccurate determination of the entry point and depth of surgical instruments due to reliance on preoperative films and manual estimation.
Innovation Solution
An image navigation method and system for a surgical microscope that utilizes a marker with locators and calibration patterns to establish a three-dimensional spatial coordinate system, enabling precise location of the entry point and path guide for surgical instruments through real-time image augmentation and superposition on the microscope's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If preoperative periapical films and manual estimation are used to determine drill point and depth, then the surgical navigation system remains simple, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to human error and deviation in entry point determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a marker as an intermediary object that is fixed to the surgical subject and detected by the imaging device. This marker serves as a mediator between the surgical subject and the navigation system, providing precise reference points for coordinate system establishment and entry point determination, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex navigation system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a three-dimensional spatial coordinate system that digitally copies and represents the physical surgical space. By establishing this virtual coordinate system based on detected marker positions, the system enables precise entry point determination through digital modeling rather than relying on complex physical navigation hardware
2Measurement precision
If complex surgical navigation devices are used to improve precision, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and preparation time increase, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the navigation marker detection function with the existing surgical microscope imaging system. By integrating the marker detection and three-dimensional coordinate system establishment into the surgical microscope's imaging apparatus, the system achieves precise entry point and path guidance without requiring separate complex navigation devices, thereby maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical microscope imaging apparatus is given multiple functions: it serves both as the primary surgical visualization tool and as the navigation marker detection device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated navigation hardware, reducing device complexity and preparation time while maintaining measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If multiple root canals and complex anatomical variations are present, then the difficulty of detecting and measuring root canal locations increases, but the need for precise three-dimensional visualization becomes critical to avoid excessive removal of healthy dentinal tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional periapical film visualization to three-dimensional spatial coordinate system representation. By detecting the marker's position in three-dimensional space and establishing corresponding coordinate systems, the system provides comprehensive spatial information about root canal locations from multiple angles and depths, making it easier to detect and measure root canal orifices even in complex anatomical variations without excessively removing healthy tissues
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
The system enhances surgical precision by accurately guiding the surgical instrument entry point and path, reducing preparation time and improving efficiency while eliminating the need for a dedicated navigator, and offering high brightness and contrast for comfortable observation.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an image in the field of view of the surgical microscope
Implementation Method 2
superposing, by an image augmentation apparatus, a navigation path image of corresponding coordinates on the image in the field of view of the surgical microscope
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses an image navigation method and system for a surgical microscope. The method comprises: fixing a surgical subject and a marker, and performing radiation imaging on the surgical subject and the marker to obtain a three-dimensional structural digital image; locating the marker via the image, establishing a coordinate system, and obtaining relative locations of a target affected part and the marker; setting an entry point and a path guide point of an instrument on the image to generate a navigation path, and transmitting data to a media signal processing apparatus; placing the target affected part and the marker in a field of view of a microscope, and transmitting an image in the field of view to the media signal processing apparatus; identifying, by the media signal processing apparatus, the marker to generate a matched three-dimensional space; and superposing a path image of corresponding coordinates on the image in the field of view according to the three-dimensional space to implement real-time navigation. The system comprises the microscope, the media signal processing apparatus, and the marker. The microscope comprises a microscope body and an image augmentation apparatus. The present application can precisely locate an entry point and an entry path of a surgical instrument, to guide a doctor or a related operator to complete a dental diagnosis and treatment surgery, thus improving the surgical precision.