Mixed Reality Surgical Jig Alignment via Spatial Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical jigs for implant surgeries, such as knee replacements, are expensive, require significant storage, and introduce inaccuracies due to manual attachment, while holographic jigs can be obstructive and difficult to use accurately.
Innovation Solution
A mixed reality system utilizing a headset with 3D spatial mapping and infrared cameras to project a virtual jig that can be manipulated and superimposed over the actual bone, allowing for precise alignment and cutting without obstructing the view, and enabling the use of less expensive, customizable jigs made from materials like plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional metal jigs are used for surgical cutting guidance, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device cost and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical jigs using 3D modeling and mixed reality technology. Digital models of cutting guides are rendered in the mixed reality environment, allowing surgeons to visualize and interact with virtual representations of the cutting jigs without requiring physical storage of multiple jig sizes. This digital copying approach maintains precision guidance while eliminating the need to stock numerous physical jig variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical jig system with a mixed reality virtual jig system. Instead of manually attaching physical metal jigs to bones for cutting guidance, the system uses virtual jigs projected through mixed reality headsets that provide the same guidance function without requiring physical storage space for multiple jig sizes and shapes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of metal jigs are stocked to accommodate different patients, then adaptability is improved, but device cost and storage needs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic virtual jigs that can be adjusted and customized in real-time within the mixed reality environment. Unlike static physical jigs that require pre-manufacturing in multiple sizes, the virtual jigs can be dynamically modified to match any patient's anatomy, providing unlimited adaptability without requiring inventory of multiple physical sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed reality virtual jig system serves multiple functions that previously required separate physical jigs. A single virtual jig platform can be configured to work with different bone types, patient sizes, and surgical procedures, replacing the need to maintain inventories of various specialized physical jigs for different surgical scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If physical jigs are manually attached to bone, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to manual attachment inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical attachment of physical jigs with automated optical tracking and virtual alignment. The system uses cameras and sensors to automatically track bone surfaces and calculate precise alignment, eliminating the manual attachment process that introduces human error while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive visual guidance in the mixed reality display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops that continuously monitor the alignment between virtual jigs and actual bone surfaces. Sensors and cameras provide ongoing data about positioning accuracy, allowing the system to automatically adjust and correct alignment deviations, thereby maintaining high measurement precision without requiring complex manual attachment procedures.
4Quantity of substance
If holographic jigs are used to eliminate physical storage, then storage requirements are reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to view obstruction and difficulty in accurate use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the holographic display into multiple layers with different transparency levels. Critical viewing areas are made more transparent to maintain clear views of the surgical site, while non-critical areas maintain full opacity for accurate jig visualization. This segmented transparency approach allows surgeons to access both the virtual jig information and the underlying surgical field simultaneously without mutual obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D screen displays to 3D spatial holographic displays that utilize the third dimension for information presentation. Virtual jigs are positioned in three-dimensional space around the surgical site, allowing surgeons to view them from multiple angles and distances without blocking the line of sight to the bone, effectively resolving the view obstruction problem through spatial dimensionality.
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 and accuracy, reduces costs by allowing for on-demand production of customizable jigs, and minimizes storage needs while providing a clear, unobstructed view during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a 3D spatial mapping camera... to create a digital map of a bone
Implementation Method 2
an infrared or stereotactic camera... to identify coordinates of a surgical procedure on the bone
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a location for a surgical jig in a surgical procedure includes providing a mixed reality headset, a 3D spatial mapping camera, an infrared or stereotactic camera, and a computer system configured to transfer data to and from the mixed reality headset and the 3D spatial mapping camera. The system and method also include attaching a jig to a bone, mapping the bone and jig using the 3D spatial mapping camera, and then identifying a location for the surgical procedure using the computer system. Then the system and method use the mixed reality headset to provide a visualization of the location for the surgical procedure.