Mazor Robotics Ltd.
A METHOD FOR VERIFYING HARD TISSUE LOCATION USING IMPLANT IMAGING

Abstract:

A low radiation, intra-operative method using two-dimensional imaging to register the positions of surgical implants relative to their pre-operative planned positions. Intraoperatively, a pair of two-dimensional fluoroscope images in different planes or a single three-dimensional image is acquired and compared to a set of three-dimensional pre-operative images, to allow registration of the implant region anatomy. A second set of intraoperative fluoroscope images is acquired of the surgical area with implants in place. The second set of images is compared with the first set of intraoperative images to ascertain alignment of the implants. Registration between first and second intraoperative image sets is accomplished using the implants themselves as fiducial markers, and the process repeated until an acceptable configuration of the implants is obtained. The method is particularly advantageous for spinal surgery.