Surgical Displacement Tracking via Image Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
During surgical procedures involving bone fractures, accurately tracking and preventing displacement of bone fragments or implants is challenging, especially during high-force maneuvers like lag screw placement, where friction increases and unwanted displacements can occur undetected by surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for displacement tracking that superimposes current x-ray images with reference images taken from a similar angle range, using image processing to visualize potential displacements relative to an implant, with automatic angle detection and visualization tools to assist surgeons in identifying and correcting unwanted movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgeons rely on single intraoperative x-ray images to monitor bone fracture treatment, then the surgical procedure can be performed efficiently, but displacement of bone fragments or implants may go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a reference x-ray image before high-force surgical maneuvers (like lag screw placement) and compares it with post-maneuver images. This preliminary capture of baseline data allows detection of any displacement that occurs during forceful surgical steps, resolving the contradiction by enabling accurate displacement monitoring without requiring continuous real-time imaging during every surgical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (reference image) of the bone fracture state before implant placement or high-force maneuvers. By comparing this copied reference state with subsequent images, the system can detect displacements without requiring the surgeon to continuously reimage, thus maintaining surgical efficiency while improving displacement detection accuracy.
2Strength
If surgeons perform high-force maneuvers like final lag screw placement to achieve good implant fixation, then implant stability is improved, but unwanted displacement of bone fragments can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by overlaying the reference image (taken before high-force maneuvers) with the current x-ray image after maneuvers like lag screw placement. This feedback mechanism allows surgeons to immediately see if bone fragments have displaced during the high-force fixation process, enabling them to correct positioning while maintaining the necessary fixation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the reference image in advance to counteract the potential harmful effect of displacement during high-force maneuvers. By having the baseline state ready for comparison, the system enables preventive detection and correction of displacement before it compromises the overall treatment outcome, balancing the need for strong fixation with position accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple x-ray images are taken during surgery to monitor displacement, then detection accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a reference image at a specific point in time (before high-force maneuvers) and uses this single baseline for comparison with subsequent images. This preliminary capture eliminates the need for frequent reimageing, as the reference image serves as a permanent baseline, thus improving displacement detection accuracy without increasing surgical time or radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a digital copy of the bone fracture state at a reference point and using this copy for comparison with later images, the system enables continuous monitoring capability without requiring continuous imaging. This single reference copy can be compared against multiple post-maneuver images, reducing the total number of x-rays needed while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprises providing a current state image and at least one reference image, taken from a similar angle range. The image and the at least one reference image are superimposed and a visual representation visualizing the relation between the image and the reference image is provided in order to track displacements of the bone during subsequent operation steps. A system is provided which can use the image data to track displacements and determine deviation from a current state of the elements in question to a target state.