A virtual fluoroscopy system and its use for image guidance in unicompartmental knee surgery

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2002:85:341-7.

Abstract

The C-arm fluoroscope is an indispensable intraoperative 2D imaging device for orthopaedic surgery. However, its frequent use in an operation presents a significant radiation hazard to the theatre staff and patient. A recent technique known as virtual fluoroscopy (VF) enhances the fluoroscope's capability for image guided surgery by tracking optically the position of the C-arm, surgical instruments and the patient. Virtuality is achieved by overlay of surgical instruments onto one or more previously captured fluoroscopic images. A key benefit of VF is that it reduces considerably the radiation hazard. This paper reports on a new VF technique for tracking and calibration of the fluoroscopic C-arm. Also reported is the use of our VF system to provide a new image guided technique for the accurate placement of the femoral component of unicompartmental knee prosthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / instrumentation*
  • Calibration
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer Systems
  • Electronic Data Processing / instrumentation*
  • Fluoroscopy / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Prosthesis Fitting
  • Radiometry
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Surgical Instruments*
  • User-Computer Interface*