SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING NAVIGATION SPACE TO PATIENT SPACE IN A MEDICAL PROCEDURE

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that is visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system of a medical navigation system and a camera of the medical navigation system. The apparatus comprises a rigid member and a plurality of markers attached to the rigid member. Each of the plurality of markers includes a reflective surface portion visible by the camera and a distinct identifiable portion visible by the 3D scanner system. The apparatus further includes a connector mechanism to connect the apparatus to a reference location. The apparatus is in a field of view of the 3D scanner system and the camera within a timeframe of the 3D scan.

Claims

1. An apparatus, for use in a medical navigation system, visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system and a camera of a tracking system, the apparatus comprising: a rigid member; a plurality of markers attached to the rigid member, each of the plurality of markers including: a reflective surface portion visible by the camera to enable capture of image data by the tracking system in a tracking space; and a distinct identifiable portion visible by the 3D scanner system to enable capture of 3D scan data by the 3D scanner system independently of the tracking system in a 3D scanner space different from the tracking space; and a connector mechanism to connect the apparatus to a reference location.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three markers.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid member is substantially rigid and planar in shape and the reflective surface portion includes a surface identifiable by the camera.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of markers are all attached to the rigid member at unique distances from each other, and the distinct identifiable portion of each of the plurality of markers is a distinct colour from the others of the plurality of markers.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of markers are all attached to the rigid member at unique distances from each other, and the distinct identifiable portion of each of the plurality of markers is the same colour for each of the plurality of markers, the same colour being distinct from a colour of the rigid member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of markers includes a first identifiable shape and a larger second identifiable shape around the first identifiable shape.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first identifiable shape includes the reflective surface portion and the second identifiable shape includes the distinct identifiable portion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a strap connected to the rigid member for securing the apparatus to a patient.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the strap is attachable around a head of the patient.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is securable to a patient using a medical adhesive.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid member is coupled to a flexible member that is attachable to a patient.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flexible member comprises at least one of a bandage and a sticker.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference location comprises at least one of a fixed location on a Mayfield clamp, a bed, and a stretcher.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference location includes a portion of a patient.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is wearable.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is sterilizable.

17. A method of registering a patient for a medical procedure with a medical navigation system using an apparatus visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system and a camera of a tracking system, the 3D scanner system having an unknown position relative to the camera and the tracking system, the method comprising: generating and receiving 3D scan data from the 3D scanner system representative of a 3D scan of at least a portion of the patient, the 3D scan including distinct identifiable portions of the apparatus visible by the 3D scanner system in a 3D scanner space; generating and receiving image data from the camera, the image data including reflective surface portions of the apparatus visible by the camera in a tracking space different from the 3D scanner space; loading saved medical image data, the saved medical data including preoperative image data saved during a previous scan of at least a portion of the patient; and performing a transformation mapping to create a single unified virtual coordinate space based on the 3D scan data, the image data, and the medical image data, the transformation mapping including performing a first mapping to map one of the 3D scan data, the image data, and the medical image data to a second of the 3D scan data, the image data, and the medical image data, and performing a second mapping to map a third of the 3D scan data, the image data, and the medical image data to the first mapping.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the distinct identifiable portions are distinct colour portions.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of markers attached to a rigid member of the apparatus, each of the plurality of markers including one of the reflective surface portions visible by the camera and one of the distinct identifiable portions visible by the 3D scanner system.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises at least three markers, the rigid member being a substantially rigid planar surface with the at least three markers mounted thereon.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of markers are all mounted on the rigid member at unique distances from each other, and the distinct identifiable portions of each of the plurality of markers is a distinct colour from the others of the plurality of markers.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of markers are all mounted on the rigid member at unique distances from each other, and the distinct identifiable portion of each of the plurality of markers is the same colour for each of the plurality of markers, the same colour being distinct from a colour of the rigid member.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein the reflective surface portions include surfaces identifiable by the camera, each of the markers includes a first identifiable shape and a larger second identifiable shape around the first identifiable shape, and the first identifiable shape includes the reflective surface portion and the second identifiable shape includes the distinct identifiable portion.

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises a strap connected to the rigid member for securing the apparatus to the patient, the strap is attachable around a head of the patient, and the at least a portion of the patient includes at least a portion of the head of the patient.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus is securable to a patient using a medical adhesive.

26. The method according to claim 17, wherein the saved medical image data includes at least one of magnetic resonance (MR) coordinates taken from a MR scan and computed tomography (CT) coordinates taken from a CT scan.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the transformation mapping includes a surface matching approach using a 3D scanner point cloud based on the 3D scan data and at least one of the MR and CT coordinates.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the transformation mapping further includes registering the tracking system to create a single unified virtual coordinate space for the 3D scanner point cloud, at least one of the MR and CT coordinates, and the image data from the tracking system.

29. The method according to claim 17, wherein the preoperative image data includes data from at least one of computerized tomography (CT) images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, positron emission topography (PET) images, contrast-enhanced CT images, X-ray images, and ultrasound images.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates the insertion of an access port into a human brain, for providing access to internal brain tissue during a medical procedure;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary navigation system to support minimally invasive access port-based surgery;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control and processing system that may be used in the navigation system shown in FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 4A is a flow chart illustrating a method involved in a surgical procedure using the navigation system of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 4B is a flow chart illustrating a method of registering a patient for a surgical procedure as outlined in FIG. 4A;

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart describing the use of multiple patient reference markers for registration;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a wearable apparatus that may be used with the systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0023] FIG. 7 is another example of the wearable apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

[0024] FIG. 8 is another example of the wearable apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and attachable to a head of a patient; and

[0025] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of registering a patient for a medical procedure with a medical navigation system using a wearable apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Various embodiments and aspects of the disclosure will be described with reference to details discussed below. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] As used herein, the terms, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms, “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0028] As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations disclosed herein.

[0029] As used herein, the terms “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially” mean plus or minus 10 percent or less.

[0030] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein are intended to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise indicated, such as through context, as used herein, the following terms are intended to have the following meanings:

[0031] As used herein, the phrase “access port” refers to a cannula, conduit, sheath, port, tube, or other structure that is insertable into a subject, in order to provide access to internal tissue, organs, or other biological substances. In some embodiments, an access port may directly expose internal tissue, for example, via an opening or aperture at a distal end thereof, and/or via an opening or aperture at an intermediate location along a length thereof. In other embodiments, an access port may provide indirect access, via one or more surfaces that are transparent, or partially transparent, to one or more forms of energy or radiation, such as, but not limited to, electromagnetic waves and acoustic waves.

[0032] As used herein the phrase “intraoperative” refers to an action, process, method, event or step that occurs or is carried out during at least a portion of a medical procedure. Intraoperative, as defined herein, is not limited to surgical procedures, and may refer to other types of medical procedures, such as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide imaging devices that are insertable into a subject or patient for imaging internal tissues, and methods of use thereof. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to minimally invasive medical procedures that are performed via an access port, whereby surgery, diagnostic imaging, therapy, or other medical procedures (e.g. minimally invasive medical procedures) are performed based on access to internal tissue through the access port.

[0034] The present disclosure is generally related to medical procedures, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive port-based surgery in specific.

[0035] In the example of a port-based surgery, a surgeon or robotic surgical system may perform a surgical procedure involving tumor resection in which the residual tumor remaining after is minimized, while also minimizing the trauma to the healthy white and grey matter of the brain. In such procedures, trauma may occur, for example, due to contact with the access port, stress to the brain matter, unintentional impact with surgical devices, and/or accidental resection of healthy tissue. A key to minimizing trauma is ensuring that the spatial location of the patient as understood by the surgeon and the surgical system is as accurate as possible.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates the insertion of an access port into a human brain, for providing access to internal brain tissue during a medical procedure. In FIG. 1, access port 12 is inserted into a human brain 10, providing access to internal brain tissue. Access port 12 may include instruments such as catheters, surgical probes, or cylindrical ports such as the NICO BrainPath. Surgical tools and instruments may then be inserted within the lumen of the access port in order to perform surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, such as resecting tumors as necessary. The present disclosure applies equally well to catheters, DBS needles, a biopsy procedure, and also to biopsies and/or catheters in other medical procedures performed on other parts of the body where head immobilization is needed.

[0037] In the example of a port-based surgery, a straight or linear access port 12 is typically guided down a sulci path of the brain. Surgical instruments would then be inserted down the access port 12.

[0038] Optical tracking systems, which may be used in the medical procedure, track the position of a part of the instrument that is within line-of-site of the optical tracking camera. These optical tracking systems also require a reference to the patient to know where the instrument is relative to the target (e.g., a tumor) of the medical procedure. These optical tracking systems require a knowledge of the dimensions of the instrument being tracked so that, for example, the optical tracking system knows the position in space of a tip of a medical instrument relative to the tracking markers being tracked.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary navigation system environment 200 is shown, which may be used to support navigated image-guided surgery. As shown in FIG. 2, surgeon 201 conducts a surgery on a patient 202 in an operating room (OR) environment. A medical navigation system 205 comprising an equipment tower, tracking system, displays and tracked instruments assist the surgeon 201 during his procedure. An operator 203 is also present to operate, control and provide assistance for the medical navigation system 205.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram is shown illustrating a control and processing system 300 that may be used in the medical navigation system 200 shown in FIG. 2 (e.g., as part of the equipment tower). As shown in FIG. 3, in one example, control and processing system 300 may include one or more processors 302, a memory 304, a system bus 306, one or more input/output interfaces 308, a communications interface 310, and storage device 312. Control and processing system 300 may be interfaced with other external devices, such as tracking system 321, data storage 342, and external user input and output devices 344, which may include, for example, one or more of a display, keyboard, mouse, sensors attached to medical equipment, foot pedal, and microphone and speaker. Data storage 342 may be any suitable data storage device, such as a local or remote computing device (e.g. a computer, hard drive, digital media device, or server) having a database stored thereon. In the example shown in FIG. 3, data storage device 342 includes identification data 350 for identifying one or more medical instruments 360 and configuration data 352 that associates customized configuration parameters with one or more medical instruments 360. Data storage device 342 may also include preoperative image data 354 and/or medical procedure planning data 356. Although data storage device 342 is shown as a single device in FIG. 3, it will be understood that in other embodiments, data storage device 342 may be provided as multiple storage devices.

[0041] Medical instruments 360 are identifiable by control and processing unit 300. Medical instruments 360 may be connected to and controlled by control and processing unit 300, or medical instruments 360 may be operated or otherwise employed independent of control and processing unit 300. Tracking system 321 may be employed to track one or more of medical instruments 360 and spatially register the one or more tracked medical instruments to an intraoperative reference frame. For example, medical instruments 360 may include tracking markers such as tracking spheres that may be recognizable by a tracking camera 307. In one example, the tracking camera 307 may be an infrared (IR) tracking camera. In another example, as sheath placed over a medical instrument 360 may be connected to and controlled by control and processing unit 300.

[0042] Control and processing unit 300 may also interface with a number of configurable devices, and may intraoperatively reconfigure one or more of such devices based on configuration parameters obtained from configuration data 352. Examples of devices 320, as shown in FIG. 3, include one or more external imaging devices 322, one or more illumination devices 324, a robotic arm 305, one or more projection devices 328, a 3D scanner 309, and one or more displays 311.

[0043] Exemplary aspects of the disclosure can be implemented via processor(s) 302 and/or memory 304. For example, the functionalities described herein can be partially implemented via hardware logic in processor 302 and partially using the instructions stored in memory 304, as one or more processing modules or engines 370. Example processing modules include, but are not limited to, user interface engine 372, tracking module 374, motor controller 376, image processing engine 378, image registration engine 380, procedure planning engine 382, navigation engine 384, and context analysis module 386. While the example processing modules are shown separately in FIG. 3, in one example the processing modules 370 may be stored in the memory 304 and the processing modules may be collectively referred to as processing modules 370.

[0044] It is to be understood that the system is not intended to be limited to the components shown in FIG. 3. One or more components of the control and processing system 300 may be provided as an external component or device. In one example, navigation module 384 may be provided as an external navigation system that is integrated with control and processing system 300.

[0045] Some embodiments may be implemented using processor 302 without additional instructions stored in memory 304. Some embodiments may be implemented using the instructions stored in memory 304 for execution by one or more general purpose microprocessors. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to a specific configuration of hardware and/or software.

[0046] While some embodiments can be implemented in fully functioning computers and computer systems, various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a computing product in a variety of forms and are capable of being applied regardless of the particular type of machine or computer readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

[0047] According to one aspect of the present application, one purpose of the navigation system 205, which may include control and processing unit 300, is to provide tools to the neurosurgeon that will lead to the most informed, least damaging neurosurgical operations. In addition to removal of brain tumors and intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), the navigation system 205 can also be applied to a brain biopsy, a functional/deep-brain stimulation, a catheter/shunt placement procedure, open craniotomies, endonasal/skull-based/ENT, spine procedures, and other parts of the body such as breast biopsies, liver biopsies, etc. While several examples have been provided, aspects of the present disclosure may be applied to any suitable medical procedure.

[0048] While one example of a navigation system 205 is provided that may be used with aspects of the present application, any suitable navigation system may be used, such as a navigation system using optical tracking instead of infrared cameras.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4A, a flow chart is shown illustrating a method 400 of performing a port-based surgical procedure using a navigation system, such as the medical navigation system 205 described in relation to FIG. 2. At a first block 402, the port-based surgical plan is imported. A detailed description of the process to create and select a surgical plan is outlined in international publication WO/2014/139024, entitled “PLANNING, NAVIGATION AND SIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE THERAPY”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/800,155 and 61/924,993, which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0050] Once the plan has been imported into the navigation system at the block 402, the patient is placed on a surgical bed. The head position is confirmed with the patient plan in the navigation system (block 404), which in one example may be implemented by a computer or controller forming part of the equipment tower.

[0051] Next, registration of the patient is initiated (block 406). The phrase “registration” or “image registration” refers to the process of transforming different sets of data into one coordinate system. Data may include multiple photographs, data from different sensors, times, depths, or viewpoints. The process of “registration” is used in the present application for medical imaging in which images from different imaging modalities are co-registered. Registration is used in order to be able to compare or integrate the data obtained from these different modalities to the patient in physical space.

[0052] Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that there are numerous registration techniques available and one or more of the techniques may be applied to the present example. Non-limiting examples include intensity-based methods that compare intensity patterns in images via correlation metrics, while feature-based methods find correspondence between image features such as points, lines, and contours. Image registration methods may also be classified according to the transformation models they use to relate the target image space to the reference image space. Another classification can be made between single-modality and multi-modality methods. Single-modality methods typically register images in the same modality acquired by the same scanner or sensor type, for example, a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images may be co-registered, while multi-modality registration methods are used to register images acquired by different scanner or sensor types, for example in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). In the present disclosure, multi-modality registration methods may be used in medical imaging of the head and/or brain as images of a subject are frequently obtained from different scanners. Examples include registration of brain computerized tomography (CT)/MRI images or PET/CT images for tumor localization, registration of contrast-enhanced CT images against non-contrast-enhanced CT images, and registration of ultrasound and CT to patient in physical space.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4B, a flow chart is shown illustrating a method involved in registration block 406 as outlined in FIG. 4A, in greater detail. If the use of fiducial touch points (440) is contemplated, the method involves first identifying fiducials on images (block 442), then touching the touch points with a tracked instrument (block 444). Next, the navigation system computes the registration to reference markers (block 446).

[0054] Alternately, registration can also be completed by conducting a surface scan procedure (block 450), which may be applied to aspects of the present disclosure. The block 450 is presented to show an alternative approach. First, the face is scanned using a 3D scanner (block 452). Next, the face surface is extracted from MR/CT data (block 454). Finally, surfaces are matched to determine registration data points (block 456).

[0055] Upon completion of either the fiducial touch points (440) or surface scan (450) procedures, the data extracted is computed and used to confirm registration at block 408, shown in FIG. 4A.

[0056] Referring back to FIG. 4A, once registration is confirmed (block 408), the patient is draped (block 410). Typically, draping involves covering the patient and surrounding areas with a sterile barrier to create and maintain a sterile field during the surgical procedure. The purpose of draping is to eliminate the passage of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) between non-sterile and sterile areas. At this point, conventional navigation systems require that the non-sterile patient reference is replaced with a sterile patient reference of identical geometry location and orientation. Numerous mechanical methods may be used to minimize the displacement of the new sterile patient reference relative to the non-sterile one that was used for registration but it is inevitable that some error will exist. This error directly translates into registration error between the surgical field and pre-surgical images. In fact, the further away points of interest are from the patient reference, the worse the error will be.

[0057] Upon completion of draping (block 410), the patient engagement points are confirmed (block 412) and then the craniotomy is prepared and planned (block 414).

[0058] Upon completion of the preparation and planning of the craniotomy (block 414), the craniotomy is cut and a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain (block 416). Registration data is updated with the navigation system at this point (block 422).

[0059] Next, the engagement within craniotomy and the motion range are confirmed (block 418). Next, the procedure advances to cutting the dura at the engagement points and identifying the sulcus (block 420).

[0060] Thereafter, the cannulation process is initiated (block 424). Cannulation involves inserting a port into the brain, typically along a sulci path as identified at 420, along a trajectory plan. Cannulation is typically an iterative process that involves repeating the steps of aligning the port on engagement and setting the planned trajectory (block 432) and then cannulating to the target depth (block 434) until the complete trajectory plan is executed (block 424).

[0061] Once cannulation is complete, the surgeon then performs resection (block 426) to remove part of the brain and/or tumor of interest. The surgeon then decannulates (block 428) by removing the port and any tracking instruments from the brain. Finally, the surgeon closes the dura and completes the craniotomy (block 430). Some aspects of FIG. 4A are specific to port-based surgery, such as portions of blocks 428, 420, and 434, but the appropriate portions of these blocks may be skipped or suitably modified when performing non-port based surgery.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 5, a registration process, similar to that which may be used in block 456 of FIG. 4B, is shown for creating a common coordinate space composed of amalgamated virtual and actual coordinate spaces. The common coordinate space may be composed of both an actual coordinate space and a virtual coordinate space, where the actual coordinate space contains actual objects that exist in space and the virtual coordinate space contains virtual objects that are generated in a virtual space. The common coordinate space containing both the aforementioned actual and virtual objects may be produced as follows.

[0063] In order to form a common coordinate space composed of the amalgamated virtual and actual coordinate spaces, the two spaces may be coupled with a “common reference coordinate”, having a defined position that can be located in both the actual and virtual coordinate spaces. An example of such a common reference coordinate 500 and actual and virtual coordinate space origins, 510 and 520, are provided in FIG. 5. Once the common reference coordinate position is acquired in both spaces they can be used to correlate the position of any point in one coordinate space to the other. The correlation is determined by equating the locations of the common reference coordinate in both spaces and solving for an unknown translation variable for each degree of freedom defined in the two coordinate spaces. These translation variables may then be used to transform a coordinate element of a position in one space to an equivalent coordinate element of a position in the other. An example correlation can be derived from the diagram in FIG. 5 depicting a two dimensional coordinate space. In FIG. 5, the common reference coordinates 500 position is determined relative to the actual coordinate space origin 510 and the virtual coordinate space origin 520. The common reference coordinates positions can be derived from the diagram as follows:

(X.sub.cra, Y.sub.cra)=(55, 55)

and

(X.sub.crv, Y.sub.crv)=(−25, −45)

[0064] Where the subscript “cra” denotes the common reference coordinate position relative to the actual coordinate space origin and the subscript “crv” denotes the common reference coordinate position relative to the virtual coordinate space origin. Utilizing a generic translation equation describing any points ((Y.sub.a, X.sub.a) and (Y.sub.v, X.sub.v)), where the subscript “a” denotes the coordinates of a point relative to the actual coordinate space origin 510, and the subscript “v” denotes the coordinate of a point relative to the virtual coordinate space origin 520, we can equate the individual coordinates from each space to solve for translation variables ((Y.sub.T, X.sub.T)), where the subscript “T” denotes the translation variable as shown below.

Y.sub.a=Y.sub.v+Y.sub.T

X.sub.a=X.sub.v+X.sub.T

[0065] Now substituting the derived values of our points from FIG. 5 we can solve for the translation variable.

55=−45+Y.sub.T

100=Y.sub.T

and

55=−25+X.sub.T

80=X.sub.T

[0066] Utilizing this translation variable, any point ((i.e. (Y.sub.v, X.sub.v)) in the virtual coordinate space may be transformed into an equivalent point in the actual coordinate space through the two generic transformation equations provided below. It should be noted that these equations can be rearranged to transform any coordinate element of a position from the actual coordinate space into an equivalent coordinate element of a position in the virtual coordinate space as well.

Y.sub.a=Y.sub.v+100

and

X.sub.a=X.sub.v+80

[0067] This will allow both the virtual and actual objects respective positions to therefore be defined in both the actual and virtual coordinate spaces simultaneously. Once the correlation is determined the actual and virtual coordinate spaces become coupled and the result in the formation of a common coordinate space that may be used to register virtual and actual objects. It should be noted that these virtual and actual objects can be superimposed in the common coordinate space (e.g., they can occupy the same coordinates simultaneously).

[0068] According to one aspect of the present application, using a handheld three dimensional (3D) surface scanner system, such as the 3D scanner 309, a full or nearly full array scan of a patient's surface can be achieved, as opposed to 1D line or a 2D grid of point depths with the conventional approaches. This may provide an order of magnitude greater point information than the surface tracing methods used in conventional approaches. Using a dense point cloud provided by the 3D scanner 309, this point cloud may be mapped to the extracted surface of the MR/CT volumetric scan data (e.g., the pre-op image data 354) to register the patient's physical position to the volumetric data. The tracking system 321 (e.g., part of the navigation system 200) has no reference to the point cloud data. Therefore a tool may be provided that is visible to both the tracking system 321 and the 3D scanner 309. A transformation between the tracking system's camera space and the 3D scanner space may be identified so that the point cloud provided by the 3D scanner 309 and the tracking system 321 can be registered to the patient space. A transformation similar to or based on the transformation described in connection with FIG. 5 may be used.

[0069] One aspect of the present application provides a tracking tool at least partially optimized for visibility and tracking by both the tracking system 321 and a 3D scanner system, such as the 3D scanner 309. In one example, the 3D scanner 309 may be a colour 3D scanner. The 3D scanner 309 may be used to collect a colour point cloud which is defined in the patient space. To determine a transformation mapping between the tracking system 321 and the patient space, the tracking tool may be identifiable in both spaces. While there may be guidelines for tool design compatibility with the tracking system 321, no such rules exist for creating targets for extraction within point clouds. In one example, a cross-compatible tool may be designed using three retro-reflective circular targets placed at unique distances from one another on a single rigid plane. Each target may include an IR retro-reflective center for visibility by the tracking system 321 and is surrounded by a high contrast coloured ring which enables straight forward extraction from the output point cloud collected from the 3D scanner 309.

[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a wearable apparatus 600 that may be used with the systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 7 is another example of the wearable apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is another example of the wearable apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6 and attachable to a head of a patient. FIGS. 6-8 will now be described simultaneously, with like elements being referred to with like reference numerals.

[0071] The apparatus 600 may be visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system (e.g., 3D scanner 309) of a medical navigation system, such as the medical navigation system 205, and a camera of the medical navigation system 205, such as camera 307. In one example, the apparatus 600 may be wearable. The wearable apparatus includes a rigid member 602 and a plurality of markers 604 attached to the rigid member 602. Each of the plurality of markers 604 includes a reflective surface portion 606 visible by the camera 307 and a distinct identifiable portion 608 visible by the 3D scanner 309. In one example, the distinct identifiable portion 608 may be a distinct colour portion. The wearable apparatus 600 further has a connector mechanism (not shown) to connect the apparatus 600 to a reference location. The apparatus may be located in a field of view of the 3D scanner system and the camera within a timeframe of the 3D scan.

[0072] In one example, the timeframe may be at least one frame of the 3D scan. The reference location may be a fixed location, such as on a Mayfield clamp, a bed, or a stretcher. Alternatively, the reference location includes being attached onto a patient, either simply resting on the patient for a short time during at least one frame of the 3D scan, or fixed to the patient, for example using medical grade tape, an adhesive, Velcro, or any other suitable fastener. The apparatus may be sterilizable. The field of view may also include a patient reference.

[0073] In one example, the wearable apparatus 600 may have at least three markers 604. However, any number of markers 604 may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application. The rigid member 602 may be a rigid surface member with at least three markers 604 mounted thereon. In one example, the rigid member 602 may be planar and substantially rigid in shape. The reflective surface portions 606 may include an identifiable surface, which in one example may be a retroreflective surface. In FIGS. 6-8, the rigid member 602 is shown to be in the approximate shape of a triangle. However, any suitable shape may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application.

[0074] In one example, the apparatus 600 may take the form of a flexible (e.g., non-rigid) cap or bandage that may be either placed on, stuck to, or affixed to the patient 202. In one example, the markers 604 on the bandage could be placed in a geometric position to represent a valid tracking tool having reflective markers. In one example, such a bandage may be recognizable by tracking system 321 of the medical navigation system 205 (e.g., defined in ROM file saved in data storage device 342) and recognized as a valid trackable tool by the tracking system 321.

[0075] In one example, at least three markers 604 may be all mounted on the rigid member 602 at unique distances from each other with the distinct identifiable portion 608 of each of the markers 604 being a distinct colour from the others of the markers 604. In another example, at least three markers 604 may be all mounted on the rigid member 602 at unique distances from each other with the distinct identifiable portion 608 of each of the three markers 604 being the same colour but distinct in colour from the rigid member 602.

[0076] In one example, each of the plurality of markers 604 may include a first identifiable shape and a second larger identifiable shape around the first identifiable shape where the first identifiable shape includes the reflective surface portion 606 and the second identifiable shape includes the distinct identifiable portion 608. In one example, the first identifiable shape may be a circle and the second identifiable shape may be a circular ring. While circular shapes and circular rings are provided as example shapes for the reflective surface portion 606 and the distinct identifiable portion 604, any suitable shapes may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application. The circular design of the markers 604 may allow for orientation independent adhesion while the unique spacing between markers 604 allows for real time tracking of the overall tool 600 orientation.

[0077] In one example, the wearable apparatus 600 further has a strap 610 (FIG. 8) connected to the rigid member 602 for securing the wearable apparatus 600 to a patient. In one example, the strap 610 is attachable around a head 612 of the patient. In another example, the wearable apparatus 600 is securable to a patient using a medical adhesive. While the strap 610 and a medical adhesive have been provided as examples, any suitable fastening means may be used to attach the apparatus 600 to the patient 202. The apparatus 600 may be designed such that the apparatus or tool 600 may be attached in a variety of ways based on the adhesive used. Some examples for placement are attaching the apparatus 600 to a headband or directly to the shaved head 612 surface using medical adhesive. In another example, as described above, the apparatus 600 may take the form of a flexible bandage having an adhesive on the back side for affixing to the patient 202.

[0078] Following the target extraction in both the tracking system 321 space and 3D scanner 309 space, a transformation mapping can be modeled to relate the tracking system 321 space with the 3D scanner 309 space. Once the 3D scanner 309 point cloud is mapped to the MR/CT coordinates by applying a surface matching method between an extracted surface of the MR/CT to the point cloud, the apparatus 600 transformation allows registration between the tracking system 321 and the MR/CT image data.

[0079] Conventional approaches use a reference star that has five positioning targets that are retro-reflective with no additional colour that can be seen by the 3D scanner and the infrared optical tracking system. In contrast, the apparatus 600 has, in one example, only 3 markers 604 and uses substantially flat targets 604. The conventional reference star also uses larger distances between positioning targets and is placed beside the patient 202 and not on the patient 202.

[0080] Retro-reflective markers are also used by some 3D scanners as passive markers to assist with stitching individual frames within a point cloud and improve overall accuracy of 3D scans. Two examples of companies that sell target stickers as part of their 3D scanner portfolio are Creaform and LabelID.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow chart is shown illustrating a method 900 of registering a patient for a medical procedure with a medical navigation system using a wearable apparatus, such as the wearable apparatus 600. The method 900 may register a patient for a medical procedure with a medical navigation system, such as the medical navigation system 205, using a wearable apparatus (e.g., the apparatus 600) visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system (e.g., including the 3D scanner 309) of the medical navigation system 205 and a camera (e.g., the camera 307) of the medical navigation system 205. The method may be controlled and/or executed, for example by the processor 302 of the control and processing unit 300 that forms part of the medical navigation system 205.

[0082] At a first block 902, the method 900 generates and receives 3D scan data from the 3D scanner 309 that is representative of a 3D scan of at least a portion of the patient 202. The 3D scan includes distinct identifiable portions of the wearable apparatus 600 that are visible by the 3D scanner 309. In one example, the distinct identifiable portions may be the distinct colour portions 608.

[0083] Next, at a block 904, the method 900 generates and receives image data from the camera 307. The image data includes reflective surface portions of the wearable apparatus 600 visible by the camera 307. In one example, the reflective surface portions may be the reflective surface portions 606.

[0084] Next, at a block 906, the method 900 loads saved medical image data. The saved medical data includes preoperative image data, such as the pre-op image data 354, saved during a previous scan of at least a portion of the patient 202. The pre-op image data 354 may include data from computerized tomography (CT) images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, positron emission topography (PET) images, contrast-enhanced CT images, X-ray images, ultrasound images, or any other suitable medical imaging source.

[0085] While the blocks 902, 904, and 906 are shown as being performed in a particular order, blocks 902, 904, and 906 may be performed in any suitable order, including concurrently.

[0086] Next, at a block 908, the method 900 performs a transformation mapping to create a single unified virtual coordinate space based on the 3D scan data, the image data, and the medical image data. In one example, the transformation may be similar to or based on the registration process described in connection with FIG. 5. In another example, the transformation mapping includes a surface matching approach using a 3D scanner point cloud based on the 3D scan data and at least one of MR and CT coordinates. In another example, the camera 307 of the medical navigation system 205 may form part of a tracking system, such as the tracking system 321, and the transformation mapping may further include registering the tracking system 321 to create a single unified virtual coordinate space for the 3D scanner point cloud, at least one of the MR and CT coordinates, and the image data from the tracking system. However any suitable known or yet to be developed transformation process may be applied.

[0087] In one slightly modified example, the 3D scanner 309 may be affixed to an end effector of a robot, such as the robotic arm 305. The robotic arm 305 may also have tracking markers affixed thereto that are visible by a camera, such as the camera 307, of the tracking system 321. The robotic arm 305 may perform the 3D scan (e.g., block 902). Since the position of the robotic arm 305, and consequently the 3D scanner position, are known to the tracking system 321 (e.g., as a result of block 904), and since the distance from the 3D scanner to the patient 202 being scanned can be calculated by the processing unit 300 using the data from the 3D scanner, a starting point cloud can be generated at a known position relative to the tracking markers affixed to the robotic arm 305. Subsequently, the 3D scanner 309 can be moved free- hand by a doctor or technician without the need to be tracked by the tracking system 321, which allows the 3D scanner to be moved out of line of sight of the tracking system 321 camera 307. The subsequent point clouds may be stitched onto the starting point cloud resulting in a complete surface in a known location relative to the tracking system 321. This surface can then be registered to the surface of MRI data (e.g., the block 309 performing the transformation mapping) resulting in a complete transformation from the MRI data to the tracking system 321. In another example, two separate 3D scanners may be used, one that remains fixed to the robotic arm 305 and one that may be used free hand by a doctor or technician. In this approach, the 3D scanner on the end effector of the robotic arm 305 exists at a fixed point and can be used to generate the cloud point to tracking system 321 coordinates. Subsequently data from the free- hand 3D scanner can be used to register new frames to original frames from the fixed 3D scanner data using continuously stitching.

[0088] In one example, the wearable apparatus 600 includes a plurality of markers 604 attached to a rigid member 602 of the wearable apparatus 600, where each of the plurality of markers 604 includes one of the reflective surface portions 606 visible by the camera 309 and one of the distinct identifiable portions 608 visible by the 3D scanner 309. In one example, the wearable apparatus 600 has at least three markers 604 and the rigid member 602 is a substantially rigid surface with the at least three markers 604 mounted thereon.

[0089] In one example, at least three markers 604 may be all mounted on the rigid member 602 at unique distances from each other with the distinct identifiable portion 608 of each of the markers 604 being a distinct colour from the others of the markers 604. In another example, at least three markers 604 may be all mounted on the rigid member 602 at unique distances from each other with the distinct identifiable portion 608 of each of the three markers 604 being the same colour but distinct in colour from the rigid member 602.

[0090] In one example, each of the plurality of markers 604 may include a first identifiable shape and a second larger identifiable shape around the first identifiable shape where the first identifiable shape includes the reflective surface portion 606 and the second larger identifiable shape includes the distinct identifiable portion 604. In one example, the first identifiable shape may be a circle and the second larger identifiable shape may be a circular ring. While circular shapes and circular rings are provided as example shapes for the reflective surface portion 606 and the distinct identifiable portion 604, any suitable shapes may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application. The circular design of the markers 604 may allow for orientation independent adhesion while the unique spacing between markers 604 allows for real time tracking of the overall tool 600 orientation.

[0091] In one example, the wearable apparatus 600 further has a strap 610 (FIG. 8) connected to the rigid member 602 for securing the wearable apparatus 600 to a patient. In one example, the strap 610 is attachable around a head 612 of the patient. In another example, the wearable apparatus 600 is securable to a patient using a medical adhesive. While the strap 610 and a medical adhesive have been provided as examples, any suitable fastening means may be used to attach the apparatus 600 to the patient 202. The apparatus 600 may be designed such that the apparatus or tool 600 may be attached in a variety of ways based on the adhesive used. Some examples for placement are attaching the apparatus 600 to a headband or directly to the shaved head 612 surface using medical adhesive.

[0092] In one example, the apparatus 600 may take the form of a flexible (e.g., non-rigid) cap or bandage that may be either placed on, stuck to, or affixed to the patient 202. In one example, the markers 604 on the bandage could be placed in a geometric position to represent a valid tracking tool having reflective markers. In one example, such a bandage may be recognizable by tracking system 321 of the medical navigation system 205 (e.g., defined in ROM file saved in data storage device 342) and recognized as a valid trackable tool by the tracking system 321.

[0093] The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.