Surgical Navigation Overlaying CAD Models to Resolve Imaging Artifacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current procedures for implant placement, such as pedicle screw insertion in surgical procedures, face challenges in accurately confirming the precise location of implants due to imaging artifacts and material characteristics, which can lead to imprecise determination of the implant's position.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes a navigation system interfacing with an imaging system to acquire pre- and post-operative image data, overlays a pre-formed CAD model onto the acquired image data to confirm the implant's placement, and employs tracking technology to determine the precise position of the implant relative to the patient, thereby overcoming imaging artifacts and ensuring accurate placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If imaging systems are used to confirm implant placement, then the ability to visualize implant location is improved, but imaging artifacts and material characteristics cause imprecise determination of implant position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant position determination accuracyVSAvoidimaging artifacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the implant from pre-operative planning data and superimposes it onto post-operative images. This virtual model serves as a reference to accurately identify the implant's position despite imaging artifacts, allowing precise measurement and confirmation of placement without being affected by the harmful imaging artifacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computer-based image processing system as an intermediary between the imaging system and the surgeon's interpretation. This system processes the images, removes or compensates for artifacts, and provides enhanced visualization that accurately represents implant position, thereby mediating between the flawed raw images and the need for precise position determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional imaging alone is used to confirm implant placement, then the procedure is simpler, but the accuracy and reliability of implant position confirmation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure completion accuracyVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges pre-operative planning data with post-operative imaging data into a single integrated navigation system. By combining these two data sources and superimposing them, the system achieves reliable implant position confirmation while managing complexity through integrated software that automatically processes and correlates the different data types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system performs multiple functions: it stores pre-operative planning information, processes post-operative images, superimposes virtual models onto actual images, and provides confirmation of implant placement. This multi-functional approach consolidates several separate processes into one system, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2563258B1Method and apparatus for image-based navigation
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 MEDTRONIC NAVIGATION INC
  • EP2563258B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2563258B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2563258B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A system and method for a procedure that can be performed on any appropriate subject. Procedures can include assembling any appropriate work piece or installing members into a work piece, such as an airframe, autoframe, etc. Regardless of the subject, generally the procedure can have a selected result that is efficacious. The efficacious result may be the desired or best result for the procedure. The system and method can be used in confirming a selected result that can be efficacious.