Optical Bone Fat Analysis for Pedicle Screw Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting pedicle screws in bone tissue face challenges with accurate positioning and screw loosening, particularly in elderly patients with osteoporosis, due to inadequate visualization and stability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an optical transmission device with a light detector and calculation unit to determine tissue fat content, coupled with a navigation unit for precise screw placement, and a pressure-sensitive portion for real-time pressure feedback, ensuring accurate placement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pedicle screws are inserted blindly or under fluoroscopic guidance, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but accurate positioning is compromised and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback systems including fluoroscopic imaging, navigation systems with visual feedback, and pressure sensors that provide continuous information to the surgeon during screw insertion. This allows dynamic adjustment of positioning to achieve accurate placement while maintaining awareness of surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical blind insertion methods with optical and electromagnetic-based navigation systems. These systems use fluoroscopy, CT-based navigation, and other imaging technologies to provide visual guidance, substituting mechanical trial-and-error with precision-guided insertion.
2Reliability
If pedicle screws are placed in elderly patients with osteoporosis, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but screw loosening occurs in approximately one third of patients within two years
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors and force sensors that provide real-time feedback on the insertion forces and holding strength during screw placement. This allows the surgeon to optimize insertion parameters and select appropriate screw specifications to maximize stability in osteoporotic bone, reducing the risk of future loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of insertion parameters such as insertion speed, torque, and depth based on real-time feedback from sensors. This allows optimization of the insertion process to achieve maximum thread engagement and stability in fragile osteoporotic bone without causing excessive damage to the surrounding tissue.
3Measurement precision
If navigation technologies are employed for pedicle screw placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pre-operative imaging and planning to establish a navigation map before surgery begins. This preliminary preparation allows for faster intraoperative execution, as the navigation system is already configured and the optimal screw trajectories are pre-calculated, reducing the time penalty associated with using navigation technologies.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time pressure feedback is implemented during screw insertion, then accurate placement and prevention of tissue damage are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates pressure sensors, force sensors, and acceleration sensors that provide real-time feedback on tissue interaction forces during screw insertion. When abnormal pressure or force thresholds are detected, the system provides immediate feedback to the surgeon to prevent damage to surrounding tissues, nerves, or the spinal cord.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor systems as intermediaries between the screw and surrounding tissues. These sensors act as mediators that monitor the interaction forces and provide information about tissue conditions, allowing indirect assessment of placement accuracy and safety without requiring direct visualization of all surrounding structures.
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 the accuracy and reliability of pedicle screw placement by distinguishing between cancellous and compact bone, preventing damage to surrounding tissues and reducing screw loosening through real-time feedback on bone hardness and pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmission device with a light detector and calculation unit to determine tissue fat content
Implementation Method 2
receive the light reflected by and/or scattered in tissue adjacent the implantable device
Implementation Method 3
receive the light reflected by and/or scattered in tissue adjacent the implantable device
Implementation Method 4
detect at least a part of the spectrum thereof, a calculation unit for calculating a parameter indicative for a fat content in the tissue from the detected spectrum
Implementation Method 5
a pressure-sensitive portion for real-time pressure feedback, ensuring accurate placement and stability
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates a system for implanting an implantable device in bone tissue, a processing unit for such system, a method of implanting an implantable device and a method of providing information for an implanting of an implantable device. In view of the finding that a fat content in cancellous bone is higher than a fat content in compact bone, the lipids fraction, which can be determined by optical means, e.g. spectroscopy, can be used to determine correct screw placement in healthy bone.