Tracked Bone Registration Verification Using 3D Motion Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computer-assisted surgical systems lack an intuitive and efficient method to verify and monitor the accuracy of bone registration during joint replacement procedures, leading to potential inaccuracies and the need for additional verification steps that increase surgical time.

Innovation Solution

A system and process using a high-definition camera and integrated tracking system to confirm bone registration by comparing the motion of tracked bones with 3-D models, providing real-time alerts and adjustments to ensure accurate registration and joint articulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional registration techniques are used to align coordinate frames, then registration can be achieved, but there is no intuitive method to verify and monitor registration accuracy, leading to potential inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidverification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the tracked bone's position and orientation overlaid on the 3-D model, allowing the surgeon to immediately verify registration accuracy. The visual confirmation feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and adjustment of registration status throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy of the tracked bone's physical position and orientation by rendering it in the 3-D model environment. This virtual copy allows the surgeon to compare the registered position against the pre-operative plan and verify accuracy without additional physical verification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If additional verification steps are implemented to confirm registration accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration verification accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The registration verification is performed continuously throughout the procedure rather than requiring separate discrete verification steps. The real-time visual display of tracked bone position allows ongoing confirmation of registration accuracy without interrupting the surgical workflow or requiring additional time-consuming verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-verification of registration accuracy through the intuitive visual display, allowing the surgeon to confirm proper alignment without requiring additional verification steps or external assistance. The visual feedback mechanism serves as a self-check tool that integrates seamlessly into the existing surgical process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If tracking arrays are fixed to bones, then bone position can be monitored, but unintentional bumping or drifting can occur, negating registration accuracy with no method for signaling the surgeon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone position monitoringVSAvoidtracking array movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous visual feedback of the tracked bone's position relative to the 3-D model and pre-operative plan. If the tracking array moves or drifts, the discrepancy becomes immediately visible in the real-time display, alerting the surgeon to re-register the bone and maintain accurate positioning throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If computer assisted surgical devices are used to precisely execute the procedure, then manufacturing precision improves, but the system lacks an intuitive and efficient method to verify bone registration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplant positioning precisionVSAvoidregistration verification ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a visual representation of the tracked bone's actual position as a copy within the 3-D model environment, allowing direct visual comparison with the pre-operative plan. This virtual copy enables intuitive verification of registration accuracy and precise implant positioning without complex verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 quick and accurate verification of bone registration, reducing surgical time and improving the precision of joint replacement procedures by allowing for real-time corrections and recommendations.

Implementation Method 1

A fiducial marker is appreciated to be a material with an opacity that is different than that of surrounding subject tissue or a reference point capable of detection by an external source (e.g. optical cameras, x-rays, radio frequency)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3376990B1Method for confirming registration of tracked bones
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 THINK SURGICAL INC
  • EP3376990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A process for confirming registration of bones involved in a joint replacement procedure is provided that includes a three dimensional (3-D) models of the bones being generated. The bones are tracked with a tracking device attached to each of the bones to allow 6-degrees of freedom (DOF) tracking during the joint replacement procedure. The 3-D models to the bones are registered and the bones having the tracking device are moved. A corresponding motion in the 3-D models with the moving of the bones is then observed. The registration of the 3-D models to the bone when the observations of the 3-D models move in correspondence with the actual bones is then confirmed or an alarm when an algorithm detects the 3-D bone models move unexpectedly during the movement of the bones. A system for confirming registration of bones involved in the joint replacement procedure is also provided.