Skull Pin Artifact Rotation for Image-Guided Neurosurgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Titanium skull pins used in neurosurgery create artifacts in x-ray images, masking critical anatomy and obstructing visualization during procedures, with existing solutions either risky, costly, or ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and image control system that rotates titanium pins relative to the x-ray path to redirect artifacts out of the image area of interest, using a processor to identify the necessary angle of rotation for unobstructed imaging, allowing for cost-effective and safe visualization of patient anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If titanium skull pins are used for immobilization, then cost-effectiveness and biocompatibility are improved, but artifact generation and masking of anatomical information worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation angle of the imaging system or table to reposition artifacts away from critical anatomical areas. The artifact rotation angle is calculated and applied in real-time during the imaging process, allowing the same titanium pins to be used while eliminating their harmful masking effect on anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful artifact generated by titanium pins into a beneficial solution by deliberately rotating the artifact to a predetermined angle where it no longer masks critical anatomy. The artifact's position is controlled and redirected rather than eliminated, transforming a problem into a manageable parameter.
2Ease of manufacture
If titanium skull pins are used for immobilization, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but visualization of critical anatomy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system dynamically rotates to predetermined angles calculated to move artifacts away from critical anatomical regions. This dynamic adjustment ensures that cost-effective titanium pins can be used while maintaining clear visualization of critical anatomy by positioning artifacts in non-interfering locations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon fiber or sapphire pins replace titanium pins, then artifact generation is reduced, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing titanium pins with expensive alternative materials, the invention converts the harmful artifact into a controllable parameter by rotating it to predetermined angles. This approach maintains cost-effectiveness while achieving the same visualization quality that would otherwise require expensive pin replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the imaging system or table to redirect artifacts away from critical anatomy. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves artifact avoidance without changing the material composition of the pins, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If head frame re-attachment is performed to resolve artifacts, then artifact masking is reduced, but patient injury risk and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic rotation of the imaging system or table to different predetermined angles to resolve artifact masking. This eliminates the need for physical re-attachment of the head frame, thereby maintaining patient safety while achieving clear visualization of critical anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical solution of re-attaching the head frame with a rotational adjustment of the imaging system or table. This substitution eliminates patient injury risk associated with re-attachment while achieving the same goal of reducing artifact masking through angular repositioning.
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 approach effectively unblocks masked anatomical information, reducing the risk of missing critical features during neurosurgery by repositioning artifacts without the need for costly pin replacements or re-attachment, improving visualization and treatment planning while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
receiving image data associated with a CT scan of the patient anatomy
Implementation Method 2
a rotation system configured to rotate the at least one pin relative to a path of the x-rays
Data Source
AI summary
An image control system has a table, a head frame, an imaging system, a rotation system, and a control system. The head frame includes at least one pin which immobilizes a select patient anatomy with respect to the table while the imaging system collects image data through a CT scan process. The CT scan process produces an image of the patient anatomy, with the image including an artifact associated with the at least one pin. The artifact masks an area of interest in the image. The control system determines an angle of rotation which will move the artifact out of the area of interest and rotates at least one of the table, the head frame, and the imaging system by the angle of rotation. A subsequent image produced by the CT scan process includes an image of the patient anatomy with the artifact moved out of the area of interest.