3D Optical Spine Alignment Assessment With Fiducial Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools limit a surgeon's ability to quickly and accurately assess the intraoperative alignment of the spine after manipulation, often requiring excessive radiation exposure and disrupting the surgical workflow.
Innovation Solution
A probe assembly system utilizing fiducial markers and 3D tracking technology for precise alignment assessment, minimizing radiation exposure and workflow disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional alignment assessment tools are used, then alignment assessment can be performed, but radiation exposure is excessive and surgical workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radiation-based imaging systems with an optical tracking system that uses visible light and fiducial markers to assess spinal alignment. The optical probe detects fiducials on the spine and tracks their positions to calculate alignment parameters, eliminating the need for repeated X-ray or fluoroscopy exposure while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiducial markers as intermediary elements placed on the spine to serve as reference points for the optical tracking system. These fiducials enable the optical probe to accurately detect and track spinal anatomy without requiring direct radiation imaging, thus reducing radiation exposure while preserving alignment assessment capability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional alignment assessment tools are used, then alignment assessment can be performed, but surgical workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic optical tracking system that provides real-time alignment assessment during the surgical procedure. The handheld optical probe can be freely moved by the surgeon to track fiducials as the spine is manipulated, allowing continuous monitoring without requiring the surgery to stop for repeated imaging, thus maintaining workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical tracking system enables continuous alignment assessment throughout the surgical procedure without interrupting the workflow. The system operates in real-time as the surgeon manipulates the spine, providing ongoing feedback without the need to pause for radiation imaging, thereby maintaining continuous productive action.
3Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are placed on the spine, then alignment assessment accuracy is improved, but the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fiducial markers only at specific critical locations on the spine where alignment assessment is most important, rather than covering the entire spine. This localized approach maintains measurement precision for the critical alignment parameters while minimizing the overall complexity of the system setup and surgical procedure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments provide systems, assemblies, and methods of analyzing patient anatomy including providing an analysis of a patient's spine. The systems, assemblies, and/or methods can include obtaining initial patient data, and acquiring spinal alignment contour information. Further, the systems, assemblies, and/or methods can assess localized anatomical features of the patient, and obtain anatomical region data. The system, assemblies, and/or method can analyze the localized anatomy and therapeutic device location and contouring. Further, the system, assemblies, and/or method can output localized anatomical analyses and therapeutic device contouring data and/or imagery on a display.