Optical Tracking Array for Spine Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive spine surgery techniques face challenges with reduced surgeon visualization and 3D spatial awareness, leading to inaccurate implant placement and increased radiation exposure for both patients and OR staff, while existing navigation systems are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A surgical navigation system that includes a tracking array secured to anatomical features, an optical tracking system, and a computer system to provide real-time 3D visualization and simulation, minimizing radiation exposure and improving accuracy through enhanced visualization and workflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgery techniques are used, then tissue displacement and pain are reduced, but surgeon visualization and 3D spatial awareness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual 3D copy of the patient's spine anatomy from preoperative CT scans. This digital replica allows the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the spinal anatomy in three dimensions without needing direct visual access to the surgical site, thereby maintaining visualization capabilities while using minimally invasive techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical tracking system with cameras as intermediaries to capture the position of surgical instruments and anatomical landmarks. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the minimally invasive surgical approach and the surgeon's need for spatial awareness, providing real-time positional information without requiring traditional open surgical exposure.
2Manufacturing precision
If repeated intraoperative fluoroscopy is used for instrument location assessment, then accurate implant placement is achieved, but radiation exposure to surgeon and OR staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual 3D model of the spine and instruments from preoperative CT data, eliminating the need for repeated intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy. The digital model serves as a copy that can be viewed multiple times without additional radiation exposure, while still providing accurate spatial information for implant placement verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical X-ray fluoroscopy system with an optical tracking system using cameras and computer vision. This substitution allows for real-time monitoring of instrument positions and implant placement accuracy without the harmful radiation effects of fluoroscopy, maintaining precision while eliminating the harmful factor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standalone navigation systems are integrated into OR, then surgical navigation capability is provided, but device complexity and OR clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the navigation system's camera array and tracking capabilities into existing C-arm fluoroscopy equipment, making the C-arm multi-functional. This universal approach allows a single piece of equipment to serve both traditional fluoroscopy and optical tracking/navigation functions, avoiding the need for separate standalone navigation systems and reducing overall OR complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical tracking camera array with the existing C-arm fluoroscopy system, merging two functions into one integrated platform. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices in the OR, simplifies the overall system architecture, and eliminates the need for additional standalone navigation equipment while maintaining full surgical navigation capability.
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 surgeon visualization and accuracy, reduces radiation exposure, and streamlines surgical procedures by providing real-time 3D image-guided surgery, leading to more predictable outcomes, reduced OR time, and lower healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical tracking system configured to capture images of the array and transmit the images to a computer system
Data Source
AI summary
A system, including various apparatus and methods, for surgical navigation is provided. The system is configured to track the spine of a patient by capturing images via one or more cameras. The cameras are configured to capture images of one or more arrays. The system transmits the images to a computer system. The one or more arrays are releasably secured with the spine of the patient, such as by a spine pin or a spine clamp. The system can determine the spatial position and orientation of relevant anatomical features, implants, and instruments using and processing the captured images.