Surgical Navigation System with Virtual Implant Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems lack the ability to virtually plan and prepare for the placement of surgical tools and implants before surgery, limiting preoperative planning and precision in robot-assisted surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical navigation system that uses infrared-based position recognition and tracking markers to accurately track surgical instruments and implants in three dimensions, allowing for precise guidance and virtual planning of surgical procedures through a robotic system that can move instruments autonomously and correct deviations during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical navigation systems use infrared-based position recognition and tracking markers to track surgical instruments in three dimensions, then measurement precision and positioning accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple infrared cameras, tracking markers, and coordinate transformation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a navigation marker array as an intermediary object that bridges the physical surgical instruments and the virtual 3D model. The marker array captures images of surgical sites and instruments, transforms local coordinates to global coordinates through mathematical calculations, and overlays navigational information onto the live video feed. This intermediary system enables precise tracking without requiring direct complex sensor integration with each surgical instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomical structure through 3D modeling from preoperative imaging data (CT or MRI scans). This virtual model is then overlaid onto the real surgical field through the navigation system, allowing surgeons to visualize internal structures and instrument positions in three dimensions without physically altering or complicating the actual surgical instruments. The virtual implant model serves as a digital replica that guides physical implant placement.
2Manufacturing precision
If a robotic system autonomously moves surgical instruments and corrects deviations during surgery, then manufacturing precision and surgical accuracy are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as surgeons lose direct manual control
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system continuously tracks the position of surgical instruments relative to the virtual 3D model and provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon through overlay graphics on the video monitor. The system calculates deviations from the planned surgical path and displays corrective guidance, enabling the surgeon to maintain manual control while achieving enhanced precision through continuous positional feedback and visual guidance.
3Productivity
If the system provides real-time tracking and virtual planning capabilities during surgery, then productivity and surgical efficiency are improved, but loss of time increases due to the setup and calibration requirements of the navigation system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preoperative planning and 3D model generation before surgery begins, allowing the surgical pathway and implant positioning to be virtually planned in advance. The navigation marker array and coordinate system are calibrated during setup, enabling rapid intraoperative navigation without real-time computation delays. This preliminary preparation reduces intraoperative decision-making time and enhances surgical efficiency once the procedure begins.
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 and accurate placement of surgical instruments and implants by providing real-time tracking and autonomous movement of surgical tools, enhancing surgical precision and reducing the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Infrared transmitters transmit a signal, and the reflective spherical balls reflect the signal to aid in determining the position of the object in 3D
Implementation Method 2
reflective spherical balls reflect the signal
Implementation Method 3
active infrared transmitters, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and thus generate their own infrared signals for 3D detection
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods may be provided to operate an image-guided surgical system using imaging information for a 3-dimensional anatomical volume. A pose of a probe that defines a longitudinal axis may be detected based on information received from a tracking system. A placement of a virtual implant for the 3-dimensinoal anatomical volume may be determined based on the pose of the probe and based on an offset from an end of the probe along the longitudinal axis, such that a trajectory of the virtual implant is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the probe in the pose. After determining the placement of the virtual implant, the virtual implant may be adjusted in response to movement of the probe while maintaining the trajectory of the virtual implant.