Image-Guided Head Navigation With a Sterile Camera Drape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation systems face challenges in maintaining precise positional navigation of instruments relative to patient anatomy in both sterile and non-sterile surgical environments, particularly in neurosurgery and ENT surgery, where maintaining registration and sterility is crucial for accurate procedures like biopsies and ablations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for intra-operative localization that involves draping a non-sterile camera and mounting arm with a sterile barrier, allowing the camera to maintain registration with patient anatomy while moving within a sterile environment, using a camera drape that transmits optical signals without distortion and a holding mechanism to ensure alignment, and incorporating a sterile tracker to continue navigation without a second registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a non-sterile camera is used for surgical navigation, then the registration and navigation precision is maintained, but the sterility requirement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sterile drape is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the non-sterile camera system and the sterile surgical field. The drape includes a sterile barrier layer that can be selectively positioned to maintain sterility while allowing the non-sterile camera to function. This mediator enables the system to operate in both sterile and non-sterile modes without compromising either navigation precision or sterility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera mounting system incorporates dynamic reconfigurability, allowing the camera to be mounted in non-sterile configurations during setup and registration phases, then reconfigured with sterile drapes during sterile surgical phases. The system can adapt its sterility status dynamically based on the surgical phase, maintaining both precision and sterility compliance throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the camera is moved to access patient anatomy, then the surgical access is improved, but the registration accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the camera's position relative to the patient anatomy and registration landmarks. When the camera is moved to improve surgical access, the system detects the position change and automatically updates the registration parameters through feedback loops, maintaining accurate navigation despite the camera's repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera mounting arm includes dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow smooth repositioning of the camera while maintaining registration. The system uses active compensation mechanisms that dynamically adjust the camera's position and orientation to preserve the registered coordinate transformation, enabling both improved access and maintained accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sterile drape is applied to the camera, then the sterility is maintained, but the optical signal transmission may be distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile drape incorporates localized transparent or translucent regions positioned at critical optical pathways. These local quality variations allow optical signals to pass through specific areas of the drape with minimal distortion while maintaining sterility coverage in other areas. The drape design includes optical windows or transparent sections that preserve image quality while the rest of the drape provides sterile barrier protection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a sterile tracker is used instead of non-sterile tracker, then the sterility is maintained, but the registration process requires repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration using a non-sterile tracker before applying the sterile drape and switching to a sterile tracker. This preliminary action establishes the initial coordinate transformation and navigation accuracy. When the sterile tracker is installed, the system uses the pre-established registration as a starting point, requiring only minimal adjustments or verification rather than complete re-registration, thus maintaining both sterility and time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices are described herein for performing a navigated surgical procedure involving a patient's anatomy in sterile and non-sterile surgical environments. A camera may be used to determine a registration of the camera coordinate-frame to the patient anatomy or optionally a tracker in relation to the patient anatomy. A drape may be applied to permit use in a sterile surgical environment. The camera may be moved from its original position to enable access to patient anatomy while maintaining a registration of the camera coordinate-frame with the patient anatomy. Alternatively, the camera may be used in a hand-held or head-mounted manner. A visualization of the patient anatomy may be displayed on a computing unit, with visualization reference planes defined by the pose of an instrument or the camera. The visualization may be presented on a display of a computing unit or as part of a head mounted augmented reality system.