Shadow Imaging Tracking for Surgical Instrument Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems for computer-assisted surgery lack accuracy and flexibility, particularly in total knee replacements, due to the need for additional time to check and approve pre-operative plans and the inability to adjust implant positions during surgery.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a shadow imaging tracking system directly with patient-specific instruments, allowing for precise tracking and adjustment of implant positions during surgery, while maintaining the simplicity of patient-matched devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patient specific instruments are used for registration, then registration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the patient specific instrument with an integrated measurement system into a single unified device. The measurement system includes markers directly incorporated into the patient specific instrument, eliminating the need for separate registration devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high registration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient specific instrument serves multiple functions: it acts as both a registration device with integrated measurement markers and as a surgical guide for the actual procedure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies the overall surgical workflow.
2Productivity
If pre-operative planning is performed with patient specific instruments, then surgical efficiency is improved, but loss of time occurs during plan approval
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system and instrument positioning are prepared in advance during the pre-operative planning phase. By pre-positioning the measurement markers and planning the surgical approach with the patient specific instrument, the actual surgical procedure can proceed without time-consuming setup or approval delays, as the plan is already optimized and ready for execution.
3Measurement precision
If computer assisted surgical systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the measurement system directly into the patient specific instrument rather than using a separate computer assisted surgical system. The measurement markers are incorporated into the instrument itself, and the tracking is performed through a simplified optical system that follows the instrument's movement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
4Ease of operation
If traditional surgical navigation is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is merged with the surgical instrument, allowing the surgeon to perform measurements and tracking directly through the instrument being used. This integration eliminates the need for separate navigation equipment and procedures, maintaining surgical workflow simplicity while achieving high measurement precision through the integrated optical tracking of the instrument's position.
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
This solution provides more accurate and flexible positioning of implants during surgery, enabling real-time adjustments for proper ligament balancing and reducing the complexity of the surgical workflow.
Implementation Method 1
The tracking system comprises a shadow imaging tracking system comprising an optical source, a shadow-generating device and a patient specific instrument sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument system (1) for treatment of an anatomical structure (3, 5) comprises an instrument (8) and/or a patient specific instrument (2, 4) for performing the treatment on the anatomical structure. The instrument (8) and/or the patient specific instrument (2, 4) comprises an integrated measurement system (20, 40, 80) for tracking the instrument (8) and/or the patient specific instrument (2, 4) relative to the anatomical structure (3, 5), whereby the integrated measurement system comprises a tracking system (6, 10), which comprises a shadow imaging tracking system comprising an optical source (10), a shadow-generating device and a patient specific instrument sensor (26) whereby an initial position of the instrument (8) or the patient specific instrument (2, 4) is registerable by the patient specific instrument sensor (26). The shadow-generating device is arranged between the optical source and the imaging device for generating a shadow. The shadow imaging tracking system is configured to compute the elevation of the source from the pattern the shadow casts on the surface of the imaging device. The integrated measurement system comprises an inertial measurement unit (30) configured to determine the position of the patient.