Spinal Alignment Planning Using Dynamic Motion Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical planning methods for spinal deformities often fail to accurately account for individual patient mobility and rigidity, leading to inadequate or excessive surgical interventions, as they rely on intuitive decisions and 2D imaging, which do not consider the dynamic range of spinal motion, resulting in suboptimal correction and potential need for revision surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The method involves preoperative analysis of vertebral rigidity and mobility using multiple 2D X-ray images in different positions to create a 3D model of the spine, allowing for a global approach to spinal correction that limits surgical procedures to the patient's actual capabilities, focusing on vertebrae with the most rigid bio-mechanical properties and using automatic registration to ensure alignment within safe motion limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical planning is based on intuitive decisions and 2D imaging without considering dynamic range of spinal motion, then the planning process is simpler and faster, but the accuracy of correction and appropriateness of surgical intervention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D imaging to 3D modeling of the spine, incorporating dynamic range of motion data from multiple bending positions. This dimensional enhancement allows for more accurate representation of spinal deformities and individual patient capabilities, directly improving measurement precision while managing complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of vertebral rigidity and mobility using multiple 2D X-ray images in different bending positions before creating the final 3D correction model. This preliminary action captures the dynamic range of motion and identifies individual patient capabilities, enabling more accurate surgical planning without excessive complexity during the actual surgical design phase.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive surgical procedures are performed to correct spinal deformities, then more significant alignment correction can be achieved, but postoperative pain and fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by identifying specific vertebrae with the most rigid bio-mechanical properties that are most suitable for surgical correction. Rather than uniformly treating all spinal segments, the method focuses surgical intervention on localized areas where correction is most effective and least invasive, thereby achieving necessary alignment correction while minimizing postoperative pain and fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by using multiple 2D X-ray images in different bending positions to derive 3D information about vertebral rigidity and mobility. This parameter transformation enables identification of optimal correction targets and allows for planning less invasive procedures that achieve the desired alignment while reducing harmful postoperative effects.
3Reliability
If surgical planning does not account for individual patient mobility limitations, then the planning process is more straightforward, but the correction may exceed patient capabilities requiring revision surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis using multiple 2D X-ray images in different bending positions to determine individual patient mobility limitations and vertebral rigidity characteristics before finalizing the surgical plan. This preliminary action ensures that the correction plan is tailored to the patient's actual capabilities, improving reliability while the automated processing maintains ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a 3D digital model that copies and represents the patient's actual spinal anatomy and mobility characteristics derived from multiple 2D images. This digital copy allows for virtual testing of correction scenarios against the patient's proven capabilities, ensuring reliability while simplifying the planning process through computer-based analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of planning the correction of spinal deformations of a subject, by performing segmentation on a three dimensional image of the subject's spine in its erect neutral position, such that the positions and orientations of the vertebrae in a region of interest are characterized. Parameters relating to the alignment and position of the vertebrae are derived from the segmentation, followed by determining whether the parameters fall within an acceptable range desired for the spine of the subject. If not within the acceptable range, an alignment optimization is performed on the vertebrae to bring the parameters within the acceptable range, to reduce the spinal deformations of the subject's spine. The alignment optimization is performed by taking into consideration limitations arising from the dynamic range of motion of the vertebrae as determined by analyzing images of the subject's spine, while the subject is in positions of maximum bending.