MRI-Guided Surgical Tool Segmentation for Real-Time DBS Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) systems face challenges in achieving precise electrode placement, leading to suboptimal clinical efficacy in procedures like treating Parkinson's disease, due to the reliance on pre-operative imaging and lengthy stereotactic surgeries, with about 30% of patients experiencing less than optimum results.
Innovation Solution
An MRI-guided interventional system that provides real-time patient-specific visualizations and feedback to clinicians, using predefined data of surgical tools and patient anatomy, to improve the accuracy and speed of electrode placement by segmenting image data and guiding surgical tools to precise locations within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-operative MRI and CT images are used for stereotactic surgery, then electrode placement can be performed based on pre-planned trajectories, but the procedure duration is lengthy and placement precision is insufficient leading to suboptimal clinical efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining tool characteristics, fiducial marker positions, and trajectory parameters before the surgical procedure. The MRI scanner is pre-configured with scanning protocols, and the software is pre-loaded with anatomical data and surgical plans, enabling rapid execution without lengthy setup during the actual procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through intra-procedural MRI scanning that provides continuous visualization of surgical tool positions and anatomical structures. This feedback loop allows clinicians to adjust trajectories and verify electrode placement accuracy during the procedure, significantly improving placement precision compared to relying solely on pre-operative imaging
2Reliability
If conventional stereotactic surgery based on pre-operative imaging is used, then surgical procedures can be performed with standard protocols, but about 30% of patients experience less than optimum clinical efficacy due to reduced placement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining tool characteristics, fiducial marker positions, and trajectory parameters before the surgical procedure. The MRI scanner is pre-configured with scanning protocols, and the software is pre-loaded with anatomical data and surgical plans, enabling rapid execution without lengthy setup during the actual procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through intra-procedural MRI scanning that provides continuous visualization of surgical tool positions and anatomical structures. This feedback loop allows clinicians to adjust trajectories and verify electrode placement accuracy during the procedure, significantly improving placement precision compared to relying solely on pre-operative imaging
3Measurement precision
If real-time MRI-guided visualization system is implemented, then electrode placement precision and clinical outcomes are improved, but the device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The MRI scanner is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the imaging device for anatomical visualization and the guidance system for surgical navigation. The integrated software platform handles diverse tasks including image reconstruction, trajectory planning, real-time visualization, and surgical guidance, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an MRI-compatible trajectory guide as an intermediary device that physically connects the surgical entry point to the target location. This guide incorporates fiducial markers that serve as intermediaries for registration between the physical surgical space and the virtual MRI image space, enabling precise tool positioning without requiring complex real-time tracking systems
Data Source
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AI summary
MRI-Surgical systems include: (a) at least one MRI-compatible surgical tool (50); (b) a circuit (30c) adapted to communicate with an MRI scanner (20); and (c) at least one display (32) in communication with the circuit. The circuit electronically recognizes predefined physical characteristics of the at least one tool to automatically segment MR image data provided by the MRI scanner whereby the at least one tool constitutes a point of interface with the system. The circuit is configured to provide a User Interface that defines workflow progression for an MRI-guided surgical procedure and allows a user to select steps in the workflow, and wherein the circuit is configured to generate multi-dimensional visualizations using the predefined data of the at least one tool and data from MRI images of the patient in substantially real time during the surgical procedure.