COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY FOR ORTHOPAEDIC PROCEDURES
Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) technology allows the surgeon to
simultaneously visualize two- or three-dimensional views of the patient's
anatomy on a monitor, and provides real-time, intra-operative views of
surgical instruments and the relative digital positioning of implantable
devices.
Most CAS systems obtain images prior to or during surgery using a variety
of diagnostic imaging modalities including CT, MR and fluoroscopy. These
images are often further processed to provide the surgeon with
three-dimensional intra-operative images of the patient's anatomy.
Alternatively, in "imageless" CAS systems, data points are harvested from
the anatomy to create a 3-D bone model. During the surgical procedure,
fixed sensors are applied to the patient and additional sensors are
incorporated into the surgical instruments or implants. These surgical
navigation data points allow the surgeon to view the precise angles and
optimal positioning of the orthopaedic implant or the relative trajectory
of the medical device or tool, such as a drill. Via this feedback, the
surgeon is assisted in placing implants accurately and consistently -
important determinants of the long-term success of orthopaedic procedures.
