Radiological-Optical Marker Integration for Surgical Image Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image registration methods in computer-assisted surgical procedures introduce significant sources of error, limiting the overall system accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system utilizing a patient tracker with hybrid markers containing both radiological and optical markers, enabling precise registration of three-dimensional patient images by tracking the hybrid markers in three-dimensional space using a motion tracking system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate radiological markers and optical markers are used for image registration, then the registration process can be performed, but significant sources of error are introduced that limit system accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage registration accuracyVSAvoidsystem accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines radiological markers and optical markers into a single hybrid marker assembly. The radiological markers (visible in CT/MRI scans) and optical markers (tracked by motion tracking systems) are physically integrated with known geometric relationships between them, eliminating registration errors between separate marker systems while enabling simultaneous use of both imaging modalities for more accurate image-to-patient registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If hybrid markers with both radiological and optical markers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration precisionVSAvoidmarker system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple marker types (radiological and optical) are merged into a single hybrid marker assembly with known geometric relationships, reducing the overall number of separate marker systems needed while improving measurement precision through multi-modal tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid marker assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides radiological contrast for CT/MRI imaging, optical reflection for motion tracking, and maintains known geometric relationships for accurate registration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized markers for each imaging modality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250272858A1Methods And Systems For Performing Image Registration In A Computer-Assisted Surgery System

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 MOBIUS IMAGING LLC

AI summary

A surgical system including a patient tracker and a tracking system. The patient tracker is adapted for attachment to a patient, and includes a hybrid marker having a radiological marker contained within an optical marker. The tracking system tracks the hybrid marker. A computing device obtains a three-dimensional image of a patient's anatomy and the attached patient tracker; identifies a three-dimensional portion of the hybrid marker within a scan volume; determines a location of the hybrid marker within the scan volume based on the identified three-dimensional portion; tracks the location of the hybrid marker in three-dimensional space using the tracking system while the patient tracker remains fixed to the patient; and registers the three-dimensional image in three-dimensional space based on a known geometric relationship between the location of the hybrid marker within the scan volume and the location of the hybrid marker in three-dimensional space.