Pelvic Plane Determination Using Accessible Landmarks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of a main plane in anatomical body parts, such as the pelvis, require repositioning the patient and rely on difficult-to-detect landmarks, leading to inaccuracies and increased radiation exposure during hip surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method using a computer-assisted navigation system that determines the main plane's position based on easily accessible landmarks, eliminating the need for repositioning and reducing radiation exposure by utilizing absolute and relative point data, along with anatomical knowledge, to calculate the main plane's orientation relative to a marker device attached to the pelvis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the patient is repositioned from supine to lateral position to detect landmarks, then more landmarks become accessible for detection, but the procedure time increases and positioning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting all necessary landmarks while the patient is in the supine position before surgery begins. The navigation system captures the positions of multiple landmarks (including ASIS, PSIS, and other pelvic landmarks) in the initial supine position, eliminating the need for subsequent repositioning. This preliminary detection phase establishes a complete spatial reference framework that enables accurate plane determination without requiring the patient to be turned to lateral position during the procedure.
2Measurement precision
If remote and symmetrical landmarks (such as ASIS point) are used to define the main plane, then the anatomical accuracy improves, but the detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple landmark detection points into a unified coordinate system framework. By detecting several landmarks (including but not limited to ASIS, PSIS, and other easily accessible points) and integrating their positions into a comprehensive spatial model, the system determines the main plane through computational geometry rather than relying on single difficult-to-reach points. This merging approach combines the advantages of multiple reference points while maintaining ease of detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system acts as an intermediary that translates the positions of easily detectable landmarks into accurate anatomical plane definitions. The system uses software algorithms to process the detected landmark coordinates and compute the main plane orientation, mediating between simple physical measurements and complex anatomical relationships. This intermediary computational layer eliminates the need for direct manual measurement of difficult-to-access symmetrical points.
3Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic images are used during surgery to determine plane position, then real-time accuracy improves, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying principles through the navigation system's detection devices (such as optical cameras or electromagnetic sensors) that capture the positions of landmarks and markers without ionizing radiation. The system creates a digital 3D copy of the patient's anatomy and plane orientations, allowing real-time visualization and measurement through non-ionizing optical or electromagnetic fields. This optical/electromagnetic copying method provides real-time accuracy equivalent to fluoroscopy without the harmful radiation effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing method for determining the position of a main plane of an anatomical body part, comprising the steps of: • providing absolute auxiliary point data which describe the position of at least one actual auxiliary point of the body part relative to a marker device attacked to the body part, the at least one actual auxiliary point being outside the main plane; • providing relative point data which constrain the possible positions of the main plane relative to the at least one actual auxiliary point; • providing absolute main point data which describe the position of one or two actual main points of the body part relative to the marker device attached to the body part, said one or two actual main points lying in the main plane and/or calculating the position of at least one virtual main point relative to the marker device, said at least one virtual main point being in the main plane and being calculated based on the absolute auxiliary point data and the relative point data; • calculating a position of the main plane relative to the marker device, wherein the calculation uses the relative point data and auxiliary point data as well as the provided absolute main point data and/or the calculated position of the at least one virtual main point.