Ultrasonic Spinal Imaging with Optical Tracking and 3D Model Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonographic systems for spinal examination and treatment lack precision in imaging and tracking bone structures, fail to provide accurate three-dimensional representations, and are unable to effectively match new images with previous ones, limiting the ability to evaluate treatment effectiveness and correlate spinal motion.
Innovation Solution
The system uses a generic 3D spine model stored in a database, records a patient-specific spine contour line using an optical tracking unit, and creates a patient-specific 3D model by resizing and distorting the generic model to match patient-specific anatomy, enabling precise location of internal features and stereoscopic display of spinal images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonographic systems are used for spinal imaging, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision and ability to locate bone structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subsystems into an integrated ultrasonographic system: optical tracking system for position detection, ultrasonic transducer for imaging, and computer processing unit for data integration. This merging enables precise localization of bone structures by correlating optical position data with ultrasonic image data, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer processing unit as an intermediary that receives data from both the optical tracking system and ultrasonic transducer, processes this data, and generates correlated positional and imaging information. This intermediary component enables precise bone structure localization without requiring direct complex interaction between the tracking and imaging subsystems.
2Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonographic systems display images on a two-dimensional screen, then the display is simple, but the ability to represent three-dimensional bone structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional screen display to three-dimensional stereoscopic display of spinal images. The computer processing unit generates three-dimensional representations by integrating positional data from the optical tracking system with imaging data, enabling practitioners to view spinal structures in three dimensions while maintaining system manageability through software-based processing.
3Measurement precision
If conventional systems rely on magnetic positioning systems, then the system is simpler, but the position determination precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic positioning system with an optical tracking system that uses optical targets and light-based position detection. This substitution provides superior position determination precision for the ultrasonic transducer and patient landmarks, while the computer processing unit integrates this optical data with imaging data to achieve accurate spatial correlation.
4Measurement precision
If conventional systems determine position relative to fixed external objects, then the system is simpler to set up, but the precision is limited by external landmarks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by determining position relative to targets placed directly on the patient's body rather than using fixed external objects as references. Optical targets are attached to the patient's spine and the ultrasonic transducer, enabling precise position determination relative to patient anatomy. The computer processing unit correlates these patient-relative positions with imaging data to achieve accurate anatomical localization.
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
This approach allows for accurate localization of spinal structures, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, and correlation of spinal motion over time, providing practitioners with precise and comprehensive information for spinal health assessment and treatment planning.
Implementation Method 1
an optical tracking unit detects the position of a number of optical targets on the patient's body and on the ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasound devices used in ultrasonographic systems produce sound waves at a frequency above the audible range of human hearing, which is approximately 20 kHz. Sound waves between 2 and 18 Mhz are often used for ultrasound medical diagnostic applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for correlating a 2D ultrasonagraphic image of a patient's spine with a relative location along the spine may include storing a generic 3D model of a spine in a database of an ultrasonagraphic system, recording a patient-specific spine contour line via an ultrasound probe, resizing the length of the generic 3D model according to the patient-specific contour line, distorting the shape of the generic 3D model according to the patient-specific spine contour line to create a patient-specific 3D model of the patient's spine, capturing a first ultrasound image of the patient's spine via the ultrasound probe and concurrently determining a 3D location of the ultrasound probe. The method may include correlating the 3D location of the ultrasound probe with a corresponding location on the patient-specific 3D model. A rendering of the patient-specific 3D model may be displayed, including an indication of the relative location of the ultrasound probe.