Tracker Movement-Based Image Registration for Surgical Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in registering medical imaging data to trackers due to limited visibility and varying poses of the tracker relative to the medical imaging apparatus, necessitating a fixed single transformation that may not be applicable in all scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize tracking information to determine the movement of a tracker relative to a medical imaging apparatus, allowing selection of appropriate transformations based on spatial relationships, gravity direction, and setup of the apparatus to accurately register image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single predefined transformation is used to register image data to the tracker, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the registration accuracy deteriorates when the tracker pose varies due to limited visibility or different surgical scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of transformation selectionVSAvoidregistration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects the appropriate transformation based on the tracker's detected pose and movement, transitioning from a static single-transformation approach to a dynamic multi-transformation approach that adapts to varying surgical scenarios and visibility conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transformation parameter based on the tracker's pose and detected movement, selecting from multiple predefined transformations (e.g., first transformation for clockwise movement, second transformation for counter-clockwise movement) to maintain registration accuracy across different conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tracker is fixedly positioned in a single predefined pose relative to the medical imaging apparatus, then the transformation is consistent and easy to manage, but the adaptability to different surgical scenarios and visibility conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracker pose flexibilityVSAvoidtransformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple transformations are pre-calculated and stored for different tracker poses and movement directions, allowing the system to quickly select the appropriate transformation without real-time complex calculations, thus managing complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking system provides feedback on the tracker's pose and movement direction, which is used to automatically select the appropriate pre-calculated transformation, enabling the system to adapt to different surgical scenarios without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4505962B1Transformation selection technique based on tracker movement
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS LIMITED
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AI summary

A method for selecting a transformation between a pose of a tracker and a coordinate system associated with image data acquired by a medical imaging apparatus is provided. The method is performed by a processor and comprises: obtaining tracking information indicative of a plurality of different poses of a tracker that is fixedly positioned relative to a movable portion of a medical imaging apparatus; determining, based on the obtained tracking information, a movement of the tracker; and selecting, based on the determined movement of the tracker, one of a plurality of transformations between a pose of the tracker and a coordinate system associated with image data acquired by the medical imaging apparatus. A corresponding system and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are also provided.