Spinal Medical Imaging Navigation via Simplified Coordinate System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating medical image data of the spine can be challenging due to its flexibility and the slight rotations or tilts of spinal vertebrae, making it difficult for operators to find specific views using traditional three-dimensional coordinate systems.
Innovation Solution
A simplified coordinate system is introduced, defined by spinal height, rotation about the spine centerline, and offset from the centerline, which allows for easier navigation and registration of medical imaging data, enabling consistent viewing of anatomical structures across different datasets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional three-dimensional coordinate systems are used to navigate spinal medical image data, then the navigation process requires trial and error and involves complex operations, but the system can accurately represent the three-dimensional space of the spine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional three-dimensional coordinate system into a simplified parameter-based system using spinal height, rotation angle, and offset distance. This parameter transformation makes navigation intuitive by directly mapping to anatomical landmarks and viewing angles, eliminating the need for complex three-dimensional coordinate manipulation while maintaining accurate spatial representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordinate transformation module as an intermediary between the simplified navigation parameters and the actual three-dimensional medical image data. This intermediary automatically converts intuitive spinal height, rotation, and offset parameters into the corresponding three-dimensional coordinates, shielding the user from complexity while ensuring accurate navigation to the desired anatomical views.
2Productivity
If traditional navigation methods are used, then operators can view spinal images, but the process is time-consuming and lacks consistency across different datasets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a standardized coordinate system framework in advance that is applicable across different spinal datasets. By pre-defining the spinal height, rotation, and offset parameters relative to anatomical landmarks, the system enables operators to directly navigate to consistent anatomical views without trial and error, significantly improving navigation efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified coordinate system with spinal height, rotation, and offset parameters serves as a universal navigation interface that works consistently across different subjects, imaging modalities, and anatomical regions. This universal parameter set allows the same navigation commands to produce consistent anatomical views regardless of the specific dataset, eliminating the need for operator-specific adjustments and reducing navigation time.
3Ease of operation
If simplified coordinate system is used, then navigation becomes easier and more consistent, but additional coordinate transformation processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinate transformation module as an intermediary that automatically handles the conversion between simplified navigation parameters (spinal height, rotation, offset) and the actual three-dimensional medical image coordinate system. This intermediary processing, while adding a technical layer, shields the user from complexity and enables intuitive navigation without requiring the operator to understand or manually perform the transformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinate transformation system operates automatically based on the simplified parameters provided by the operator. The system self-performs the complex coordinate conversions, calculations, and view adjustments without requiring additional manual intervention or complex user input, making the added processing transparent to the user and maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides for a medical imaging system (700) comprising: a memory (734) for storing machine executable instructions (740), a display (732) for rendering a user interface (800), and a processor (730). Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to receive (1000) three dimensional medical image data (746) descriptive of a region of interest (709) of a subject (718). The region of interest comprises a spine (200). Execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to receive (1002) a set of spinal coordinate systems (748) each descriptive of a location and an orientation of spinal vertebrae in the three dimensional medical image data. The set of spinal coordinate systems further comprises a set of spine centerline positions (102) each positioned on a spine centerline (108). Execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to receive (1004) a mapping (750) between the set of spinal coordinate systems and a simplified coordinate system. The simplified coordinate system comprises a spinal height (300) descriptive of a position along the spine centerline. The simplified coordinate system further comprises a rotational orientation relative to a local vertebrae orientation. The simplified coordinate system further comprises an offset from the spine centerline. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly receive (1006) a simplified coordinate (752) of the simplified coordinate system from the user interface. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly calculate (1008) a spinal image rendering (754). Calculating the spinal image rendering comprises using the mapping to transform the simplified coordinate into the set of spinal coordinate systems to determine an image location in the three dimensional medical image data. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly render (1010) the spinal image rendering on the display.