Method and apparatus for planning and monitoring a surgical operation

A method for planning and monitoring a surgical operation, comprising:

• determining an operation site;
• obtaining structural data representing the operation site;
• generating a desired image of the operation site from the structural data;
• determining from the desired image a planned section surface along which tissue is to be severed during the operation;
• displaying at least one of the desired image and an image of the planned section surface superposed on at least one of an actual image of the operation site or the operation site itself.

An apparatus for providing information on the anatomical relations and planned therapeutic measures in a body region, comprising:

• a data processing unit adapted to collect structural data representative of a body region, adapted to generate a first data set representative of at least one desired image of the body region from the structural data, and adapted to generate a second data set representative of a planned section surface from the desired image;
• a storage device adapted to store the first data set and the second data set;
• and
• at least one image reproduction device adapted to display at least one of the desired image and an image of the planned section surface superposed on the body region.

An apparatus for planning and monitoring a surgical operation, comprising:

• a data processing unit adapted to collect structural data representative of an operation site, adapted to generate a first data set representative of at least one desired image of the operation site from the structural data, and adapted to generate a second data set representative of a planned section surface from the desired image;
• a storage device adapted to store the first data set and the second data set;
• and
• at least one image reproduction device adapted to display at least one of the desired image and an image of the planned section surface superposed on the operation site.

A method for planning and monitoring a surgical operation, comprising:

• determining an operation site where an implant is to be inserted;
• obtaining structural data representing the operation site;
• generating a desired image of the operation site from the structural data;
• determining a planned position and a spatial orientation of the implant;
• storing at least the desired position and orientation of the implant as a data record;
• producing a graphical representation of at least the desired position and orientation of the implant;
• displaying the graphical representation superposed on an actual image of the operation site or projected onto the operation site so that the implant can be positioned to match at least the desired position and orientation thereof;
• and
• fixing the implant based on the graphical representation displayed.