Surgical Navigation System Polarization Surface Normal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in accurately registering and tracking surgical objects due to limitations in capturing and processing polarization data, which affects the precision of instrument navigation within the patient's body.
Innovation Solution
A surgical navigation system equipped with a camera capable of capturing images filtered through at least three different polarization angles, utilizing a processor to determine and align surface normals from both 3D image data and captured images, allowing for precise coordinate transformations and differentiation between various surgical objects based on polarization characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface normals are determined only from 3D image data, then the registration process is simpler, but the tracking accuracy and ability to differentiate surgical objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different methods for determining surface normals: one from 3D image data and another from polarization images. By merging these complementary approaches, the system achieves more accurate tracking and better object differentiation while managing complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for surface normal determination by incorporating polarization angle data alongside 3D image data. This parameter expansion enables the system to extract additional information about surgical objects, improving measurement precision without requiring a complete system redesign.
2Measurement precision
If images are captured through multiple polarization angles, then surface normal accuracy improves, but the data processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment of surface normals from 3D image data with those from polarization images. This preliminary action establishes a reference framework that reduces the computational burden during real-time processing, allowing accurate surface normal determination without excessive processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing is segmented into distinct steps: capturing images at multiple polarization angles, determining surface normals from each set, aligning them through coordinate transformations, and combining the results. This segmentation allows the system to manage computational complexity by processing different aspects separately and efficiently.
3Measurement precision
If coordinate transformations are performed to align surface normals, then registration accuracy improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses coordinate transformations as an intermediary process to bridge the gap between different measurement systems (3D image data and polarization images). This mathematical mediator enables accurate alignment and comparison of surface normals from different sources without requiring physical modification of the imaging systems.
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
This approach enhances the registration and tracking of surgical objects, improving navigation accuracy by aligning surface normals and enabling differentiation between different types of surgical objects and surface conditions, thus aiding surgeons in precise instrument placement.
Implementation Method 1
a camera system (32) comprising at least one camera (34), wherein the camera system (32) is capable of capturing images of light that is filtered through at least three different polarization angles
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical navigation system is provided. The surgical navigation system comprises a camera system comprising at least one camera. The camera system is capable of capturing images of light that is filtered through at least three different polarization angles. The surgical navigation system further comprises a processor having access to three dimensional image data of a surgical object. The processor is configured to determine first surface normals from the three dimensional image data of the surgical object. The processor is further configured to determine second surface normals from at least three images captured by the camera system of the surgical object under different polarization angles. The processor is configured to align the first surface normals with the second surface normals. Furthermore, a method for operating a surgical navigation system is provided.