Optical Surgical Guide for Radiation-Free Tool Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical guide systems for intramedullary nailing surgeries rely on X-ray imaging, which compromises surgical accuracy, exposes patients and surgeons to radiation, and is costly, while failing to account for patient-specific bone variations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical guide system using a reference guide member coupled to a fixed object and a control unit to determine the position and orientation of surgical tools relative to a three-dimensional reference frame, providing visual guidance through augmented or mixed reality headsets without X-ray imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If X-ray imaging techniques are used to guide surgical procedures, then surgical guidance is provided, but surgical accuracy decreases and patients are exposed to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical tracking system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the patient anatomy. Optical markers attached to surgical tools and a camera-based tracking system provide real-time positional feedback without requiring the surgeon to look at X-ray screens, thereby maintaining drilling accuracy while eliminating radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the X-ray imaging system (electromagnetic radiation-based) with an optical tracking system. Instead of using ionizing radiation to visualize anatomy, the system uses optical cameras to track reflective markers, substituting a harmful physical mechanism with a benign optical one.
2Reliability
If X-ray imaging techniques are used to locate screw holes, then surgical guidance is achieved, but patient exposure to radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the X-ray imaging mechanism with an optical tracking mechanism. Optical markers placed on or near the surgical site and tools are detected by infrared or visible light cameras, providing real-time positional information without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical markers serve as intermediaries that carry positional information. Instead of directly imaging the patient's anatomy with X-rays, the system tracks the position of markers that indicate anatomical landmarks and tool positions, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining guidance accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If conventional guidance systems are used, then surgical alignment is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical tracking system serves multiple functions: it tracks surgical tool positions, monitors anatomical landmarks, provides real-time feedback to the surgeon, and can be used across different surgical procedures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, lowering overall system cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical markers that create visual copies or representations of anatomical structures and tool positions in the digital domain. These virtual representations can be manipulated and analyzed computationally, providing precise alignment guidance without requiring expensive physical guidance fixtures or complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical guide system for assisting a user controlling a surgical tool, comprising: a first reference guide member, operably coupleable to a fixed object having at least one predetermined feature, configured to define a first reference frame within a three-dimensional space; a control unit, adapted to capture an image of at least said fixed object and identify, from a predetermined list comprising a plurality of fixed objects, said fixed object, and provide a first input signal indicative of said identified fixed object, further adapted to determine the position and orientation of said at least one predetermined feature relative to said first reference frame based on said first input signal, and provide a first output signal on a visual output device adapted to guide the user moving, positioning and orientating the surgical tool towards and into engagement with said predetermined feature.