Surgical Navigation Attachment Metrics for Spinal Screw Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical navigation systems fail to provide precise attachment metrics for surgical treatment apparatus placement in spinal procedures, leading to concerns about screw pull-out and potential damage to sensitive anatomical structures during cervical spine stabilization and fusion.

Innovation Solution

A surgical navigation system that employs identifiers, a tracking system, and a computer system with an integrated database to determine and display attachment metrics such as screw placement, screw length, and screw trajectory for precise attachment of surgical treatment apparatuses to anatomical structures, utilizing geometric data and image interpretation software to calculate optimal attachment positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If posterior plates with multiple screws are used for spinal stabilization, then fixation strength is improved, but the risk of screw pull-out and damage to sensitive anatomical structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidrisk of screw pull-out

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of attachment metrics (screw trajectory, entry point, angle) before surgical intervention. The computer system analyzes patient-specific anatomical data and pre-determines optimal screw placement parameters, allowing the surgeon to execute precise screw insertion with reduced risk of pull-out and anatomical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical navigation system provides real-time feedback during the surgical procedure by displaying the calculated attachment metrics and tracking the actual screw placement. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to adjust screw trajectory and positioning dynamically, ensuring optimal fixation while avoiding sensitive structures and preventing pull-out.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple screws are inserted through a single plate for posterior fixation, then stabilization is improved, but the complexity of ensuring proper screw insertion and avoiding sensitive structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilizationVSAvoidcomplexity of screw insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the complex screw insertion task into separate, manageable components by calculating and displaying individual attachment metrics for each screw (trajectory, entry point, angle, depth). This segmentation allows the surgeon to focus on and optimize each screw placement independently, reducing the overall complexity of ensuring proper insertion for multiple screws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical navigation system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the complex task of inserting multiple screws through a single plate. It provides automated calculations and real-time guidance, mediating the complexity of coordinating multiple screw trajectories and positions while maintaining stabilization objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If screw insertion is performed without precise attachment metrics, then surgical speed is maintained, but the precision of screw placement and avoidance of sensitive structures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical speedVSAvoidprecision of screw placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates all attachment metrics (trajectory, entry point, angle, depth) before the surgical procedure begins, using preoperative imaging and patient-specific anatomical data. This preliminary computation provides precise guidance for screw placement without requiring time-consuming intraoperative calculations, thus maintaining surgical speed while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual estimation and mechanical trial-and-error screw placement with computer-based automated calculations and navigation guidance. This substitution enables precise screw placement to be achieved quickly, as the computer system provides exact trajectory and positioning data without requiring extensive intraoperative measurement and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11540886B2Surgical navigation system providing attachment metrics

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 MEDOS INT SARL

AI summary

A system and method for providing enhanced information to a surgeon is described. A three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient's anatomical structure selected for surgery and a representation of a surgical treatment apparatus are rendered on a display device. At least one attachment metric for a proposed attachment between the surgical treatment apparatus and the patient's anatomical structure is calculated using the three-dimensional position of the surgical treatment apparatus relative to the patient's anatomical structure. And, an indication of the attachment metric is rendered on the display device.