Surgical Navigation Without Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-guided surgical navigation systems require image registration with patient space, which can be complex and invasive, especially for multi-level constructs like spinal fusion procedures, where precise alignment of multiple pedicle screws is challenging and often requires large incisions, leading to increased trauma and recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using optical or electromagnetic localization techniques to navigate the precise placement of multi-component constructs without image registration, allowing for real-time tracking and planning of implant components relative to anatomy, enabling minimally invasive procedures with reduced tissue trauma and smaller incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image registration is used to guide surgical instruments and implants, then navigation accuracy is improved, but procedure complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the image registration step from the surgical navigation process. Instead of requiring registration of pre-acquired images with patient anatomy, the system directly guides instruments and implants using real-time tracking of localization elements attached to the patient's anatomy, thereby eliminating the complex registration procedure while maintaining navigation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional navigation approach by attaching localization elements directly to the patient's anatomy and tracking them in real-time, rather than trying to register pre-acquired images to the patient's current position. This inversion eliminates the need for complex image registration while maintaining precise navigation
2Illumination intensity
If open procedure is used to obtain clear view of surgical area, then surgical visibility is improved, but tissue trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of localization elements attached to anatomical landmarks and a tracking system that provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon. This intermediary system enables minimally invasive percutaneous procedures by providing the necessary surgical visibility and spatial orientation without requiring large incisions and extensive soft tissue disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of creating large physical incisions to achieve surgical visibility with an optical/electromagnetic tracking system that provides real-time visualization and guidance through localization elements, thereby enabling minimally invasive procedures while maintaining surgical visibility
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical alignment is used to interconnect multi-level constructs, then alignment precision is improved, but procedure complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where localization elements attached to each level of the construct provide real-time positional information to the tracking system. This feedback enables the surgeon to precisely align and interconnect multi-level constructs by visually confirming the relative positions and orientations of each component, thereby simplifying the alignment process while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces localization elements as intermediaries between the surgical instruments and the target anatomical structures. These localization elements attached to each level of the construct provide real-time positional feedback, enabling precise alignment and interconnection of multi-level constructs without requiring complex mechanical alignment 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
Enables precise, minimally invasive implantation of multi-component constructs by eliminating the need for image registration, reducing tissue trauma and recovery time, and simplifying the alignment of complex geometries in surgical navigation.
Implementation Method 1
A method and apparatus using optical or electromagnetic localization techniques to navigate the precise placement of multi-component constructs without image registration
Implementation Method 2
A method and apparatus using optical or electromagnetic localization techniques to navigate the precise placement of multi-component constructs without image registration
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for percutaneous and/or minimally invasive implantation of a construct. The construct may be implanted using a navigation system for planning and execution of a procedure. A plurality of portions of the construct may be interconnected using locations and paths determined and navigated with the navigation system.