Surgical Instrument Display for Real-Time X-Ray Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical professionals face challenges in aligning surgical instruments, such as drill bits, with anatomical structures during procedures like intramedullary nailing due to limited visibility and guidance from traditional medical imaging devices, which can lead to improper alignment and complications like implant breakage or delayed surgery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument assembly with a display mounted to the instrument, capable of receiving and displaying real-time fluoroscopic data from a medical imaging device, including an alignment tool that uses an accelerometer to indicate the correct orientation of the drill bit with respect to the X-ray travel direction, allowing for precise alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a medical professional views the display of the medical imaging device to monitor X-ray images, then the ability to monitor progress in real-time is improved, but the difficulty of aligning surgical instruments with anatomical structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display device mounted on the surgical instrument that acts as an intermediary between the medical imaging device and the surgeon. This portable display is positioned within the surgeon's field of view, allowing real-time viewing of X-ray images and alignment indicators without requiring the surgeon to look at a separate, distant monitor. The display shows the anatomical structure, drill bit position, and alignment indicators simultaneously, enabling the surgeon to maintain proper alignment while monitoring progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent overlays digital alignment indicators and anatomical structure representations onto the visual field, creating a multi-dimensional information display. The system presents 2D X-ray images with superimposed 3D alignment guidance elements (such as circular indicators showing proper drill bit orientation) that provide spatial context without requiring the surgeon to switch between multiple viewing planes or devices.
2Measurement precision
If traditional medical imaging devices are used without integrated display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of instrument alignment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument serves multiple functions: it performs the surgical drilling operation while simultaneously displaying real-time X-ray images and alignment indicators. The display device mounted on the instrument combines imaging, positioning, and guidance functions in a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual alignment methods with electronic and optical systems. Instead of relying on mechanical alignment tools or visual estimation, the system uses electronic displays showing X-ray images with superimposed digital indicators that provide precise alignment guidance. The accelerometer-based orientation detection substitutes mechanical leveling or alignment devices with electronic sensing.
3Loss of time
If the display is positioned away from the surgical instrument, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time for real-time monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is pre-positioned on the surgical instrument before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary mounting ensures that the display is already within the surgeon's field of view when needed, eliminating any delay in accessing real-time imaging information. The display is configured in advance to show the appropriate views and indicators, so no time is lost during the procedure for setup or repositioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables medical professionals to accurately align surgical instruments with anatomical structures during procedures, reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical efficiency by providing real-time visual guidance and alignment assistance.
Implementation Method 1
An accelerometer of a surgical instrument assembly is calibrated with a direction of X-ray travel from an X-ray generator to an X-ray receiver of a medical imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
A C-arm, or a mobile intensifier device, is one example of a medical imaging device that is based on X-ray technology. Because a C-arm device can display high-resolution X-ray images in real time, a physician can monitor progress at any time during an operation, and thus can take appropriate actions based on the displayed images. Monitoring the images, however, is often challenging during certain procedures, for instance during procedures in which attention must be paid to the patient's anatomy as well as a medical imaging device display. In an example, a surgical instrument assembly includes a processor, a surgical instrument configured to operate on an anatomical structure, and a display coupled to the processor and attached to the surgical instrument. The display can be configured to display visual information comprising X-ray images generated by a medical imaging device.