Spine Image Registration for 2D-3D Vertebra Matching in Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately registering three-dimensional images with two-dimensional radiation fluoroscopic images during spinal surgery is exacerbated by differences in spinal curvature and tissue states between pre-surgery CT/MRI images and intra-surgery fluoroscopic images, due to positional and anatomical changes.
Innovation Solution
A radiation image processing device and method that emphasizes the spine in two-dimensional images, extracts target vertebrae, and registers them with three-dimensional images using weighted subtraction and parameter-adjusted projections, accounting for scattered rays and energy distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional images are registered with two-dimensional radiation fluoroscopic images, then the positional relationship between surgical instrument and vertebra can be ascertained, but registration accuracy deteriorates due to differences in spinal curvature and tissue state between pre-surgery and intra-surgery images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores characteristic features (such as vertebral body contours, spinous process positions, and intervertebral disc locations) from pre-surgery three-dimensional images before the actual surgery occurs. These pre-extracted features serve as reference data that can be directly compared with intra-surgery two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, enabling accurate registration even when spinal curvature and tissue states have changed during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent focuses on extracting and registering specific local vertebral features rather than attempting to register the entire spine. By identifying and matching characteristic points and contours of individual vertebrae (such as the vertebral body, spinous process, and intervertebral disc), the system achieves accurate local registration that is less affected by overall spinal curvature differences and soft tissue changes between pre-surgery and intra-surgery conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If three-dimensional images acquired in supine position are used for registration, then pre-surgical planning can be performed, but registration accuracy with intra-surgery images deteriorates due to positional differences and tissue deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional vertebral model into multiple characteristic features and landmarks (vertebral body, spinous process, transverse processes, intervertebral discs). This segmentation allows the system to extract and store specific geometric characteristics that can be independently matched with two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, making the registration process more robust to positional and tissue deformation differences between supine pre-surgery imaging and prone intra-surgery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter transformation and adjustment mechanisms that allow the system to account for changes in spinal curvature and tissue state. By extracting geometric parameters (such as vertebral body contours, angles, and spatial relationships) and comparing them with corresponding parameters in fluoroscopic images, the system can adapt to positional differences and tissue deformation, maintaining registration accuracy despite the change from supine to prone positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor acquires at least one two-dimensional image including a spine of a subject during surgery on the subject, derives a spine image in which the spine of the subject is emphasized based on the at least one two-dimensional image, extracts a two-dimensional target vertebra that is a target of registration from the two-dimensional image, and registers the two-dimensional target vertebra with a three-dimensional target vertebra that is a target of the registration, the three-dimensional target vertebra being extracted from a three-dimensional image including the spine of the subject acquired before the surgery on the subject.