Skull Anchor Orientation via Simulated Topographic Image Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-guidance systems for brain surgery face challenges in accurately determining the position and orientation of anchors implanted in the skull, which is time-consuming and difficult to achieve the required alignment accuracy of +/-5 degrees, especially when each platform must be customized for individual patients.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve acquiring topographic images of the anchors, simulating a simpler geometric model of the anchor, determining the position and orientation from the simulated image, and using optical flow registration to match the simulated image with the actual image, thereby facilitating accurate alignment of the platform with the anchors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a platform is customizedly designed and constructed with legs to be engaged with anchors attached to the patient's skull, then the alignment accuracy can be improved, but the time required for customization and the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-customizing the platform design before the surgical procedure. The platform is designed in advance with legs positioned to match the specific anchor locations on the patient's skull, determined through image processing of pre-acquired topographic images. This allows the alignment calculations and platform customization to be completed beforehand, reducing the time required during the actual surgical procedure while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
2Device complexity
If the position and orientation of anchors are determined manually from topographic images, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that automatically determines anchor position and orientation from topographic images. The system uses image processing algorithms to simulate anchor positions in the topographic images, calculate the optimal platform orientation, and determine precise alignment parameters. This intermediary computational step acts as a mediator between the raw image data and the final alignment, providing high measurement precision without requiring complex manual measurement procedures.
3Reliability
If multiple anchors are attached to the skull and a platform is customized for each patient, then the reliability of image-guidance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating a virtual model or copy of the patient's skull geometry and anchor positions from pre-acquired topographic images. The platform design is generated as a digital copy that matches the patient's specific anatomy, allowing for precise customization without complex manufacturing procedures. The virtual model enables automatic calculation of leg positions and orientations, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high reliability through patient-specific customization.
Data Source
AI summary
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for determining the position and orientation of an anchor attached to the skull of a patient from a topographic image of the anchor acquired therefrom. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of simulating an image of the anchor that matches the acquired topographic image of the anchor, determining the position and orientation of the anchor from the simulated image of the anchor, and determining the position and orientation of the anchor in the acquired topographic image of the anchor from the position and orientation of the anchor determined from the simulated image of the anchor. The simulating step comprises the step of modeling the anchor with an object that has a geometric shape simpler than that of the anchor.