Virtual Surgical Guides for Real-Time Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical surgical procedures face challenges in maintaining accurate surgical reference markings due to shifts in patient positioning and pre-surgical markings being affected by washing and sterilization processes, leading to potential post-operative asymmetry and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The development of real-time, multidimensional virtual surgical guides that can be aligned and locked with the patient's anatomy using pre-operative data, allowing for precise visualization and adjustment during surgery, enabling accurate surgical procedures despite anatomical shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-surgical reference markings are applied to the patient's skin, then initial surgical guidance is provided, but the markings shift or are removed during surgery due to patient positioning changes and washing/sterilization processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical imaging to create a digital copy of the patient's anatomy with pre-surgical markings, then displays this copy on a monitor rather than relying on physical markings on the patient's skin. This allows the reference information to be viewed without being subject to physical distortion or removal during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical imaging system and display monitor as intermediaries between the pre-surgical markings and the surgeon. Instead of directly viewing markings on the patient's skin, the surgeon views an optical image that can be adjusted and maintained throughout the procedure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple virtual surgical guides are used to provide comprehensive guidance, then surgical accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows virtual surgical guides to be dynamically adjusted, added, or removed during the surgical procedure based on the surgeon's needs. The system transitions from static pre-surgical planning to dynamic intraoperative adjustment, enabling flexibility without requiring a completely complex new system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements virtual surgical guides as separate, independent graphical elements that can be individually controlled, adjusted, or removed. This segmentation allows the surgeon to manage multiple guides without being overwhelmed by system complexity, as each guide can be handled independently.
3Ease of operation
If pre-surgical markings are used to guide incisions, then initial surgical planning is facilitated, but the markings become inaccurate due to fatty tissue shifting when the patient changes position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional physical markings on the patient's skin to a multi-dimensional digital imaging system that can capture and display anatomical structures in various dimensions. This allows the surgical plan to be viewed and adjusted from different perspectives without being constrained by the patient's physical position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs comprehensive surgical planning and marking in advance, creating a detailed digital model that can be referenced throughout the procedure. This preliminary digital preparation captures the anatomical relationships before any tissue shifting occurs, providing a stable reference framework.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described which guide a surgeon in performing a reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. The apparatus and methods utilize three-dimensional presentations of the target surgical site incorporating one or more virtual surgical guides which help attain proper alignment and orientation of the post-surgical outcome.