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Biomedical subjects

Branislav Jaramaz

Publications and source records attributed to Branislav Jaramaz.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Virtual reality simulation of fluoroscopic navigation.

Surgical navigation systems assist surgeons by tracking targets attached to the patient's bones and to the surgical tools. Fluoroscopic navigation is a technology that adds "live" imaging to surgical navigation. In order to identify the limitations and potential sources of errors in fluoroscopic navigation, a virtual environment is created in which all the key steps of fluoroscopic navigation can be rehearsed. This provides a low-cost, highly portable, and radiation-free training environment with the ability of instant accuracy validation and reliable measurement of trainee progress. This virtual environment also is suitable for comparing different fluoroscopic registration techniques and protocols. Although the imaging component of the navigation is simulated, physical interaction with the environment can be modeled at different levels; from a fully virtual environment, to miniature models, to life-size dummies and cadavers. Each of these options satisfies different specific training needs, such as the need for portability and easy setup to the need for a completely realistic simulation of the entire clinical environment and operating procedure. In this study, we present the example of a system based on a scaled-down model with a specific focus on analyzing and training bony landmark localization using fluoroscopic navigation.

Computer Simulation↗

Accuracy of pelvic flexion measurements from lateral radiographs.

Variations in pelvic orientation affect preoperative planning decisions, intraoperative navigation, and postoperative measurements. By providing the means to measure pelvic flexion at low cost and reporting pelvic flexion using the standard reference system, a lateral radiograph technique based on the pubic tubercles and anterior superior iliac spines may be useful for studying functional pelvic orientation and functional alignment and for improving accuracy of postoperative measurement. We evaluated the accuracy of this method by synthesizing 50 lateral pelvic radiographs. Six observers performed manual landmark-based pelvic flexion measurements on the resultant radiographs. Pelvic flexion measurement errors were small (0.004 masculine +/- 1.38 masculine). Apart from one outlier with an error of 12.4 masculine, the errors ranged from -4.0 masculine to 3.0 masculine. The data suggest that accurate measurements of pelvic flexion can be made from lateral radiographs with respect to the standard anatomic reference system. However, failure to correctly observe a landmark can introduce large errors. Therefore, the clarity of the relevant landmarks should be considered carefully before applying this technique. Lateral radiographs can be easily acquired and analyzed, making this technique convenient and inexpensive.

Body Weights and Measures↗

Functional pelvic orientation measured from lateral standing and sitting radiographs.

We prospectively obtained preoperative and 3-month postoperative lateral pelvic radiographs in the standing and sitting positions from 84 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty. We measured pelvic orientation (flexion extension) using the anterior pelvic plane as defined by the anterior superior iliac spines and pubic tubercles as references. There was a trend towards upright pelvic alignment when standing, with a mean anterior pelvic plane angle of 1.2 degrees (range, -22 degrees - +27 degrees). In the sitting position the pelvis tended to extend posteriorly, with a mean anterior pelvic plane angle of -36.2 degrees (range, -64 degrees - +4 degrees). There was a wide variation in the arc of pelvic flexion extension as patients moved from standing to sitting, with are of pelvic motion in some patients as mobile as 70 degrees and in others as stiff as 5 degrees. There was no significant variation between males and females or between preoperative and postoperative pelvic flexion extension. There were substantial variations in pelvic orientation when comparing standing and sitting for an individual patient and between different patients. This variation can be unpredictable, and may influence implant alignment and stability after total hip arthroplasty.

Adult↗

Three-dimensional planning and virtual radiographs in revision total hip arthroplasty for instability.

Instability is one of the most challenging complications of total hip arthroplasty. The cause of instability is not always clear and treatment outcome is not always satisfactory. Treatment can be optimized by accurate identification of the cause of instability and precise surgical technique. In this case report, we illustrate the use of a three-dimensional (3-D) preoperative planner and virtual radiographic system to improve component position in revision total hip arthroplasty required because of recurrent dislocation. Using this technique, we identified common problems seen in patients with unstable hips after previous revision surgery including impingement, cup malpositioning, bone deficiency in the medial wall, and integrity of fixation screws. The computer-assisted system allowed preoperative planning with range of motion simulation and optimization of the acetabular cup position. The virtual radiographic system provided 3-D measurement of the cup position using a postoperative plane radiograph.

Aged↗

Cup alignment error model for total hip arthroplasty.

Almost all computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery systems that rely on the anterior pelvic plane definition, such as in computed tomography and magnetic resonance image-based, fluoroscopy-based, and nonimage total hip replacement approaches, are derived from identifying two pairs of pelvic bony landmarks: anterior superior iliac spines and the pubic tubercles. Although these systems strive to achieve cup alignment accuracy of approximately 1 degree, even a minor failure to correctly identify these anatomic landmarks can lead to higher inaccuracies in the final cup alignment. This study shows how to examine the effects of these inaccuracies on the final acetabular cup implant orientation during total hip replacement by generating a kinematic model, which then is simulated. Simulation results indicate that, for example, a total error of 4 mm in measuring the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercles would result in a final cup orientation of 47 degrees and 27 degrees in abduction and version respectively, resulting in a 2 degrees abduction error and 7 degrees error in version when targeting 45 degrees abduction and 20 degrees version results. These calculations can be repeated for any error values.

Acetabulum↗

Measurements of acetabular cup position and pelvic spatial orientation after total hip arthroplasty using computed tomography/radiography matching.

This study presents a clinical validation of postoperative measurements of acetabular cup alignment following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The methodology was based on concurrent anatomic three-dimensional (3D) measurements of both the acetabular cup alignment and pelvic orientation, using an original CT/X-ray matching algorithm named Xalign. The subjects were 19 patients who had undergone bilateral THA using CT-based surgical navigation. All patients had postoperative pelvic CT scans and multiple antero-posterior (AP) pelvic X-rays. Using a proprietary software algorithm, the X-rays included in the study were matched with the corresponding postoperative CT scans. The goal of this method was to allow 3D anatomic pelvic and acetabular measurements on two-dimensional AP X-rays. The postoperative cup abduction, version and pelvic flexion angles were determined in three different ways: using CT images directly, applying the Xalign method, and finally by performing conventional (abduction only) measurements on AP pelvic X-rays. The cup orientation measured on CT images was taken as the ground truth. The Xalign measurement errors were defined as the difference between the CT cup values and those obtained by applying the matching method. The mean cup abduction error was 0.85 degrees +/- 1.3 degrees (+/- standard deviation) and the mean version error was 0.01 degrees +/- 1.99 degrees . Conventionally measured cup abduction ranged from 44 degrees to 62 degrees and correlated significantly (p = 0.001, r = -0.5) with pelvic flexion angle, proving the linear negative correlation between pelvic flexion and the error in conventional radiographic cup measurements. The Xalign method offered reasonable accuracy for cup orientation, and allowed cup and pelvic 3D anatomic measurements at different times.

Acetabulum↗

A kinematic model for calculating cup alignment error during total hip arthroplasty.

Reduced range of motion, prosthetic impingement, and joint dislocation can all result from misalignment of the acetabular component (i.e. cup alignment) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Most methods for acetabular component alignment are designed to provide 45-50 degrees abduction and 15-25 degrees of operative anteversion (also known as flexion) with respect to the anterior pelvic plane coordinate system. Yet in most cases, this coordinate system is not assigned properly, due to differences in patient anatomy and improper positioning in the operating room. This misalignment can result in an error in the cup alignment, which can cause the above-mentioned consequences. This work presents a complete mathematical formulation for the analysis of the inaccuracies related to the anterior pelvic plane axes (APPA) definition and their effect on final cup orientation. We do this by introducing a method taken from Kinematics of Mechanisms, and by representing the errors in the APPA as three concurrent axes of rotation, followed by the version and abduction rotations which are defined relative to the previous rotations. We also present a sensitivity analysis of the results by introducing differential changes between sequential coordinate frames, which simulates the errors in the APPA and their effect on cup orientation. Finally, we demonstrate a computational method which provides corrected version and abduction angles to achieve the desired cup orientation, given that the actual measurement errors are known.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

Computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery: minimally invasive hip and knee reconstruction.

Joint reconstructive surgery is experiencing new and important developments. Less and minimally invasive techniques for hip and knee replacement have been described recently by several investigators. They have outlined not only the positive aspects, but also some of the difficult challenges. Accuracy and safety of the surgery could be increased, despite the smaller approaches, with navigation tools. Although promising,the initial clinical experience is limited and needs to be supported by further, prospective analysis.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

Less invasive total hip arthroplasty using navigational tools.

Although traditional total hip arthroplasty offers good visualization of bony landmarks and allows for the accurate orientation and fixation of implants, these benefits are achieved at the expense of extensive soft-tissue dissection and can result in postoperative complications and a delayed return to full function. To address these disadvantages, navigational tools were coupled with a mini-incision technique that allowed accurate bone preparation and orientation of the implant components without direct visualization of the bony landmarks. Additionally, image-guided systems provide three-dimensional information before and during surgery, making it possible to know, in real time, the orientation of implants and to visualize the full bony anatomy. This "computer-enhanced vision" allows surgeons to perform less invasive and eventually minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty with improved accuracy.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

Mini-incision technique for total hip arthroplasty with navigation.

This prospective study compares a mini-incision technique and traditional posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Thirty-three patients who had undergone a mini-incision THA were matched by diagnosis, gender, average age, and preoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS) to 33 patients who had undergone THA using the traditional posterior approach. The average length of the incision for group 1 was 11.7 cm (range, 7.3-13.0) and for group 2 was 20.2 cm (range, 14.8-26.0). At the 3-month follow-up, patients in the mini-incision group had significant improvement in limp (P<.05) and ability to climb stairs (P <.01) compared with the traditional group. At the 6 month follow-up, the mini-incision group was significantly better in terms of limp (P <.05), distance walked (P<.001), and stairs (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between groups for pain, function, or range of motion at the 1-year follow-up examination.

Aged↗

Ultrasound registration of the bone surface for surgical navigation.

OBJECTIVE: To allow non-invasive registration of the bone surface for computer-assisted surgery (CAS), this investigation reports the development and evaluation of intraoperative registration using 2D ultrasound (US) images. This approach employs automatic segmentation of the bone surface reflection from US images tagged with the 3D position to enable the application of CAS to minimally invasive procedures. METHODS: The US-based registration method was evaluated in comparison to point-based registration, which is the predominant method in current clinical use. The absolute accuracy of the US-based registration was determined using a phantom pelvis, with fiducial registration providing the ground truth. The relative accuracy was determined by an intraoperative study comparing the US registration to the point-based registration obtained as part of the HipNav experimental protocol. RESULTS: The phantom pelvis study demonstrated equivalent accuracy between point- and US-based registration under in vitro conditions. In the intraoperative study, the US-based registration was sufficiently consistent with the point-based registration to warrant larger-scale clinical trials of this non-invasive registration method. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-based registration eliminates the need for physical contact with the bone surface as in point-based registration. As a result, non-invasive registration could fully unlock the potential of computer-assisted surgery, enabling development of the next generation of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Humans↗

Comparison of a mechanical acetabular alignment guide with computer placement of the socket.

We hypothesized that use of mechanical acetabular guides for intraoperative alignment leads to variations between the actual and desired implant orientation. Acetabular implant orientation using only the mechanical guide was studied in 78 patients (82 hips) undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. A computer-assisted navigation system was used to measure alignment and to monitor the orientation of the pelvis during surgery. When using the mechanical guide, there was significant variation in cup alignment from the desired goal of 45 degrees of abduction and 20 degrees of flexion, and this would have resulted in unacceptable acetabular alignment in 78% of hips. With the support system used, there was significant variability in pelvic orientation during surgery. The mean anteversion of the pelvis was an average of 18 degrees from the optimal orientation. These results show a clear need to develop more reliable tools than were used or anatomically based alignment strategies to provide reproducible and accurate acetabular alignment.

Acetabulum↗