See-Through Spine Display for Virtual Implant Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer-assisted surgery, aligning surgical instruments with patient anatomy is challenging due to differing coordinate systems between the surgical field and external monitors, leading to hand-eye coordination issues for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A system using a see-through optical head-mounted display (OHMD) with processors to superimpose virtual implants onto the surgical site, allowing alignment and fitting based on surgical site parameters, and incorporating user interfaces for movement and fitting adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pre-operative imaging studies are displayed on external computer monitors, then imaging information is available to the surgeon, but hand-eye coordination becomes challenging due to different view coordinates between the surgical field and the monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a see-through optical head-mounted display as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the surgical field and imaging information. The OHMD superimposes virtual implant representations directly onto the surgeon's field of view, allowing simultaneous visualization of both the surgical site and imaging data without requiring the surgeon to shift attention to external monitors, thereby resolving the hand-eye coordination challenge while preserving information availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional external monitor display to three-dimensional spatial overlay by projecting virtual implant representations directly into the surgeon's field of view. This dimensional change allows imaging information to be displayed in the same spatial plane as the surgical field, eliminating the coordinate system mismatch and improving hand-eye coordination
2Measurement precision
If virtual implants are displayed on external monitors, then implant alignment information is provided, but the surgeon must shift attention between the monitor and the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display of virtual implant alignment information with the surgeon's direct view of the surgical site by using a see-through optical head-mounted display. This combination allows the surgeon to see both the surgical field and the virtual implant representation simultaneously in the same field of view, eliminating the need to shift attention between separate displays and reducing time loss while maintaining alignment precision
3Loss of information
If surgeons use external monitors to view surgical data, then comprehensive information is available, but the surgical field visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The see-through optical head-mounted display acts as an intermediary that overlays surgical data onto the surgeon's field of view rather than blocking it. The transparent display medium allows light from the surgical field to pass through while simultaneously presenting visual information, thereby maintaining surgical field visibility while providing comprehensive data availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a see-through optical display medium that functions as a transparent thin film or shell. This flexible display structure allows the surgeon to view surgical data projected onto the transparent surface while maintaining clear visibility of the surgical field behind it, resolving the contradiction between information availability and field visibility
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention relate to systems, devices and methods for performing a surgical step or surgical procedure with visual guidance using an optical head mounted display.