Stereovision Vertebral Tracking for Radiation-Free Spinal Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intraoperative CT images become inaccurate during spinal surgery due to vertebral alignment changes, posing risks of nerve damage and hardware misplacement, and repeat CT scans increase radiation exposure.

Innovation Solution

An intraoperative stereovision system with a stereo imager and image processor models vertebral motion using a computerized mechanical model, registering and adjusting it based on stereo images to track spinal alignment and ensure accurate hardware placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If intraoperative CT (ICT) is used to guide spinal surgery, then accurate vertebral alignment can be achieved, but radiation exposure increases and images become inaccurate during surgery due to vertebral motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral alignment accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the patient's spine anatomy using preoperative CT images and constructs a computerized mechanical model that replicates vertebral structures, surfaces, and alignment. This virtual model is then tracked throughout surgery using stereo vision, eliminating the need for repeated intraoperative CT scans and thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical radiation-based imaging system (CT scanner) with an optical tracking system (stereo cameras). Instead of using ionizing radiation to capture vertebral positions, the system uses optical markers and stereo vision to track vertebral alignment in real-time, substituting a harmful mechanical system with a benign optical one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If repeat CT scans are performed during surgery to monitor alignment, then accurate guidance can be maintained, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral alignment monitoring accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure to patient and staff

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes continuous monitoring of vertebral alignment throughout surgery using stereo vision tracking. Instead of intermittent CT scans, the optical tracking system provides continuous feedback on vertebral positions and alignment, maintaining measurement precision without the need for repeated radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual copy of the spine anatomy is updated continuously throughout surgery by tracking the movement of vertebral surfaces captured by stereo cameras. This dynamic virtual model replaces the need for repeat CT scans, providing continuous alignment information without additional radiation exposure to patient and staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If preoperative CT images are used for navigation, then surgical planning can be performed, but alignment changes during surgery make the images inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical planning capabilityVSAvoidimage accuracy during surgery

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the static preoperative CT model into a dynamic virtual copy that can adapt to intraoperative conditions. The computerized mechanical model is updated in real-time by tracking vertebral surface changes during surgery, allowing the planning data to remain accurate despite alignment changes that occur during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by creating a detailed virtual copy of the spine anatomy from preoperative CT images before surgery begins. This preconstructed model serves as the foundation for surgical planning and is then updated throughout surgery to reflect actual vertebral positions, combining the benefits of preoperative planning with intraoperative accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260017912A1Intraoperative stereovision-based vertebral position monitoring

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE THE

AI summary

An intraoperative stereovision system has a stereo imager configured to provide stereo images at first and second time (iSV0, iSV(n)) to an image processor configured with a computerized mechanical model of a spinal column, the computerized mechanical model configured to model vertebrae as rigid, displaceable, bodies. The image processor is configured to extract an iSV0 surface model from iSV0 and an iSV(n) surface model from the iSV(n); to register these surfaces, and identify differences therefrom. The image processor is configured to adjust the computerized mechanical model according to the identified differences thereby causing the adjusted computerized mechanical model to track the iSV(n) surface model at each of multiple timepoints.