Vertebra Image Registration for Low-Dose Spinal Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical imaging techniques, such as low-dose cone beam CT and ultrasound, suffer from low resolution, impairing the precision of surgical information generation, especially in spinal interventions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that register and blend pre-operatively and intra-operatively acquired image segments of vertebrae to enhance image resolution and accuracy, using transformations to align and fuse high-resolution pre-operative data with low-resolution intra-operative data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If low-dose imaging techniques such as cone beam CT are used intra-operatively, then radiation exposure is reduced, but image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pre-operative high-resolution image data with intra-operative low-resolution image data through registration and fusion techniques. The system overlays the lower-resolution intra-operative images onto the higher-resolution pre-operative images, allowing the benefits of both datasets to be merged into a single enhanced surgical view that maintains high resolution while reflecting current anatomical positions.
Solution Approach 2:
High-resolution pre-operative imaging is performed before the surgical procedure to establish a detailed anatomical reference. This preliminary acquisition of high-quality data allows subsequent low-dose intra-operative imaging to focus on tracking positional changes without needing to maintain high resolution, thereby reducing radiation exposure while preserving overall image quality through the fusion process.
2Measurement precision
If pre-operatively acquired high-resolution image data is used, then surgical information precision is improved, but the data does not reflect intra-operative anatomical positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses intra-operative low-resolution images as feedback to detect actual anatomical positions and movements during surgery. This feedback information is then used to update and adjust the pre-operative high-resolution images, creating a dynamic registration process that continuously aligns the planned surgical path with the actual intra-operative anatomy, thereby maintaining both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static pre-operative high-resolution images into a dynamic representation by continuously registering them with intra-operative low-resolution images. This allows the surgical navigation system to adapt to real-time anatomical changes, patient positioning adjustments, and surgical interventions, making the high-resolution data dynamically reflective of current intra-operative conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A technique of generating surgical information from intra-operatively acquired image data of vertebrae and pre-operatively acquired image data of the vertebrae is presented. A method implementation comprises obtaining first image segments each containing a different vertebra, wherein the first image segments have been derived by processing the pre-operatively acquired image data, and obtaining second image segments each containing a different vertebra, wherein the second image segments have been derived by processing the inter-operatively acquired image data. The method also comprises identifying one of the second image segments and one of the first image segments that contain the same vertebra, and determining a transformation that registers the identified first image segment and the identified second image segment. Further, the method comprises generating surgical information based on the transformation and the identified first image segment.