Patient Optical Code Registration for Accurate AR Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
AR systems face challenges in accurately aligning and retrieving virtual elements with real-world environments, which is often manual, time-consuming, and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical code affixed to a patient, combined with a pattern of markers perceptible to both optical and non-optical imaging modalities, allows for automatic alignment and registration of image data with actual patient views using an AR headset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment and retrieval methods are used in AR systems, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and retrieval accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical codes and markers as intermediary elements that facilitate automatic alignment and retrieval. These codes are placed on or near the patient and serve as mediators between the physical patient and the virtual surgical elements, enabling the AR system to automatically determine spatial relationships without complex manual calibration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with automated optical recognition systems. Instead of manually positioning and aligning virtual elements with the patient's anatomy, the system uses optical sensors to detect codes and markers, automatically calculating positions and orientations through image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms
2Productivity
If manual alignment procedures are used, then device complexity is minimized, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-placing optical codes and markers on the patient before the surgical procedure begins. These elements are positioned in advance on anatomical landmarks or surgical sites, so that when the AR system needs to align virtual elements, it can immediately detect the pre-positioned codes without requiring time-consuming search or manual measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces time-consuming manual alignment operations with automated optical detection and computational processing. The optical sensor rapidly captures images of the codes and markers, and computer algorithms automatically perform coordinate transformations and alignment calculations, dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual procedures
3Measurement precision
If manual retrieval of virtual elements is used, then system complexity is reduced, but retrieval accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the optical sensor continuously detects the position of codes and markers, and this information feeds back to the system's calculation module. The system uses this feedback to automatically adjust and refine the alignment of virtual elements with the patient's actual anatomy, ensuring high retrieval accuracy through iterative correction rather than relying on manual estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The optical codes and markers serve as intermediaries that carry spatial information between the patient's physical anatomy and the virtual surgical elements. By detecting the position and orientation of these intermediary elements, the system can accurately retrieve and position corresponding virtual elements without requiring complex direct mapping procedures
4Reliability
If automatic alignment using optical codes is implemented, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical codes and markers as reliable intermediary elements that provide stable reference points for alignment. These intermediaries are designed to be easily detectable by optical sensors and maintain fixed relationships with anatomical landmarks, providing consistent and reliable reference information that enhances alignment reliability without requiring complex adaptive algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The optical codes and markers serve multiple functions: they provide spatial positioning information, enable identification of anatomical landmarks, and facilitate both alignment and retrieval operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each function, managing overall system complexity while maintaining high alignment reliability
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
Enables precise alignment of virtual patient data with real-time views, reducing errors and ensuring accurate instrument guidance during surgeries and procedures.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, with an optical sensor of an augmented reality (AR) headset, the optical code affixed to the patient and a position of the optical code in a 3D space
Implementation Method 2
capturing image data of the patient using the non-optical imaging modality, with the image data including an inner layer of the patient
Implementation Method 3
The non-optical imaging modality may include a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) modality
Data Source
AI summary
Aligning image data of a patient with actual views of the patient using an optical code affixed to the patient. In some embodiments, a method may include affixing an optical code to a patient, affixing a pattern of markers to the patient, capturing image data of the patient, sensing the optical code affixed to the patient and a position of the optical code in a 3D space, accessing the image data, calculating the position of the pattern of markers in the 3D space, registering the position of the inner layer of the patient in the 3D space by aligning the calculated position of the pattern of markers in the 3D space with the position of the pattern of markers in the image data, and displaying in real-time, in an alternate reality (AR) headset, the inner layer of the patient from the image data projected onto actual views of the patient.