Visual Registration Assessment Using Tracked Landmark Annotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigated medical procedures face challenges in maintaining accurate registration between the tracking system's frame of reference and the patient's local reference frame due to inadvertent contact, leading to potential registration errors that can impact the procedure negatively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a visible indication of registration accuracy by tracking a trackable reference frame and a landmark, using cameras and tracking systems to display an annotation indicating the estimated position of the landmark, allowing visual comparison with the actual position to detect registration errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional registration assessment methods using additional sterile tools are used, then registration accuracy can be assessed, but procedure time increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracy assessmentVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of tracking medical instruments and the secondary function of assessing registration accuracy. The system uses the existing trackable reference frame and tracking cameras to generate visual indicators of registration accuracy, eliminating the need for separate assessment tools and reducing procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The registration assessment system serves itself by using its own tracking infrastructure (trackable reference frame and tracking cameras) to monitor its own registration accuracy. The system generates visual indicators that allow surgeons to assess whether the trackable reference frame has moved relative to the patient anatomy, without requiring external assessment tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional registration assessment methods using additional sterile tools are used, then registration accuracy can be assessed, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracy assessmentVSAvoidcosts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of tracking medical instruments and the secondary function of assessing registration accuracy. The system uses the existing trackable reference frame and tracking cameras to generate visual indicators of registration accuracy, eliminating the need for separate assessment tools and reducing procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The registration assessment system serves itself by using its own tracking infrastructure (trackable reference frame and tracking cameras) to monitor its own registration accuracy. The system generates visual indicators that allow surgeons to assess whether the trackable reference frame has moved relative to the patient anatomy, without requiring external assessment tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If visual indication of registration accuracy is implemented, then registration errors can be detected rapidly, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration assessment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the trackable reference frame's position relative to the patient anatomy by generating an annotation that indicates the expected position of a visible landmark. This visual indicator allows surgeons to quickly compare the annotated position with the actual landmark position to detect registration errors without complex assessment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a visual annotation as an intermediary element that mediates between the tracking system's data and the surgeon's visual assessment. The annotation serves as a bridge, translating complex tracking data into a simple visual indicator that can be easily interpreted by the surgeon to detect registration errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12514649B2Systems and methods for facilitating visual assessment of registration accuracy

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 7D SURGICAL ULC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided that facilitate an intraoperative assessment of registration associated with a trackable reference frame. An initial position of the landmark is identified and an initial position and orientation of the trackable reference frame is determined. The position and orientation of the trackable reference frame is subsequently trance and estimated updated position of the landmark is determined by maintaining a fixed three-dimensional offset between the landmark and the trackable frame of reference. An annotation indicating the estimated updated position of the landmark is displayed, such as within an intraoperative image acquired by a camera having a known spatial relationship with the tracking system. A user may visually observe a registration error by observing a lack of spatial concordance between the actual location of the landmark the estimated updated location as indicated by the annotation. The annotation may be generated based on previously acquired surface data.