Laser guidance system for intra-operative orthopedic surgery
AssigneeWhale Imaging, Inc.
InventorsChangguo Ji, Xinbai He, Xun Zhu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method are provided for performing fluoroscopic procedures with assistance of guiding laser beam projections to reduce a reliance on harmful radiation emitting fluoroscopic imaging devices during the procedure. The system and method reduce an amount of radiation exposure to patients and medical personnel during procedures that require assistive real-time imaging. Specifically, an automated laser guidance system and method of use is provided to reduce fluoroscopic radiation, reduce operation time, and increase operative accuracy.
Claims20
A medical imaging and guidance system, comprising:
- a fluoroscopic imaging system, comprising:
- a support gantry having a generally arc shape about an interior center focus point with a first terminal end and a second terminal end;
- a first imaging assembly that is positioned on the support gantry and comprising a first imaging energy emitter that is positioned opposite a first imaging receptor, wherein one of the first imaging energy emitter or the first imaging receptor is positioned at the first terminal end of the support gantry;
- and
- a plurality of laser-diodes fixedly attached to at least one of the first imaging receptor or the second imaging receptor around half of a circumference of the first imaging receptor or the second imaging receptor, respectively, at intervals of no greater than 15 radial degrees of spacing between each laser-diode of the plurality of laser-diodes;
- wherein the plurality of laser-diodes emit guiding laser beam projections onto a subject to provide guidance to medical personnel during a procedure without radiation energy being emitted by the first imaging assembly.
A method for utilization of a medical procedure guidance system, the method comprising:
- activating an imaging device comprising a first imaging assembly and a second imaging assembly configured and arranged to receive a subject patient therebetween;
- obtaining, by imaging receptors, a raw image data of the subject patient;
- communicating the raw image data to a processing and display device;
- transforming the raw image data, by the processing and display device, into a preview image of the subject patient;
- displaying the preview image on a display with at least one plan line, generated by the processing and display device, overlaid onto the preview image;
- and
- instructing, by the processing and display device, one or more laser-diode of a plurality of laser-diodes in a laser-diode array to project one or more guiding laser beam projections onto the subject patient at locations corresponding to the at least one plan line, which is overlaid onto the preview image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.