Spinal Implant Navigation for Real-Time Trial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and vertebral misalignments, often lack precision and efficiency in implant placement, leading to suboptimal surgical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system employing surgical navigation and trial instruments with image guidance, allowing real-time tracking and alignment of spinal implants using computer-generated images and markers, enabling precise implant sizing and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical methods are used for spinal implant placement, then the surgical procedure is simpler and faster to perform, but the precision and accuracy of implant placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces trial instruments as intermediary devices that are imaged by the surgical navigation system to establish a mapping between the physical surgical field and the digital planning environment. These trial instruments serve as mediators that allow the surgeon to test different implant configurations and positions before actual implantation, thereby improving placement precision without requiring direct complex imaging of the final implant during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies or representations of trial instruments and implants within the navigation system's software environment. These virtual models allow for pre-operative planning, simulation of different surgical scenarios, and precise measurement of implant positions relative to anatomical landmarks. The digital copying enables high-precision planning and visualization without adding physical complexity to the actual surgical procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If surgical navigation systems with real-time imaging are implemented, then implant alignment accuracy is improved, but surgical time and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary imaging and planning actions by capturing images of trial instruments during the surgical procedure. These trial instrument images are used to create a digital representation that guides subsequent implant placement. By pre-establishing the spatial relationship and alignment through trial instruments before final implant insertion, the system reduces the need for time-consuming intraoperative adjustments and repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and alignment methods with an image-based navigation system. Instead of relying on physical alignment tools, templates, or manual measurement devices, the system uses captured images of trial instruments and digital processing to determine precise implant positions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical alignment apparatus while maintaining or improving alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple trial instruments are imaged and tracked for implant sizing, then implant selection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of instrument tracking and image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the implant selection process by using multiple trial instruments with progressively different sizes and configurations. Each trial instrument represents a discrete step in the sizing process, allowing the surgeon to systematically evaluate different implant options. The navigation system processes images of these segmented trial instruments separately, comparing each against the patient's anatomy and surgical plan, thereby simplifying the overall decision-making process while maintaining high sizing accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system includes a trial connected with a first image guide oriented relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of the trial relative to a patient anatomy. A tracking device includes the sensor and communicates with a processor to generate a storable image of the trial relative to the patient anatomy for display from a monitor. A spinal implant is connected with a second image guide oriented relative to the sensor to communicate a signal representative of the spinal implant relative to the patient anatomy. The sensor receives the signal of the second image guide and communicates with the processor to generate an image of the spinal implant in real time for display from the monitor in a configuration to align the spinal implant in real time with the stored image of the trial. In some embodiments, methods, spinal constructs, implants and surgical instruments are disclosed.