Intraoperative Spinal Alignment Assessment via Optical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tools inadequately assess spinal alignment intraoperatively, often requiring excessive radiation and providing inadequate visualization of anatomical landmarks, leading to disruptions in the surgical workflow.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing dynamic reference frames with trackable markers and a 3D tracking camera, along with fiducial alignment assemblies and radiopaque markers, to accurately assess spinal alignment and provide anatomical information without radiation, by registering markers in 3D space and tracking their coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current surgical tools are used to assess spinal alignment, then the assessment can be performed, but excessive radiation exposure is required and visualization of anatomical landmarks is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiation-based imaging systems with an optical tracking system using cameras to capture images of trackable markers. This substitution eliminates radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to assess spinal alignment through 3D reconstruction of marker positions throughout the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces trackable markers as intermediary objects that can be visualized by cameras. These markers serve as mediators between the anatomical structures and the imaging system, enabling indirect observation of spinal alignment without direct radiation exposure to anatomical landmarks.
2Measurement precision
If current surgical tools are used to assess spinal alignment, then the assessment can be performed, but the surgical workflow is disrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring of spinal alignment throughout the surgical procedure by maintaining the tracking system active and markers visible in the surgical field. This eliminates interruptions for radiation imaging, allowing the surgical workflow to proceed continuously with real-time alignment assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes the tracking system and registers anatomical landmarks before spinal manipulation occurs. This preliminary setup allows immediate assessment of alignment changes during the procedure without requiring time-consuming imaging sequences throughout the surgery.
3Measurement precision
If fiducial alignment assemblies with radiopaque markers are used, then visualization is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the alignment system into separate functional components: trackable markers attached to anatomical structures, fiducial alignment assemblies for registration, and a 3D tracking system for data processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide systems, assemblies, and methods of analyzing patient anatomy including providing an analysis of a patient's spine. The systems, assemblies, and/or methods can include obtaining initial patient data, and acquiring spinal alignment contour information. Further, the systems, assemblies, and/or methods can assess localized anatomical features of the patient, and obtain anatomical region data. The system, assemblies, and/or method can analyze the localized anatomy and therapeutic device location and contouring. Further, the system, assemblies, and/or method can output localized anatomical analyses and therapeutic device contouring data and/or imagery on a display.