Holographic visualization for ultrasound-guided pedicle screw placement training

Pedicle screws are used often in a spinal fusion to add support and strength to the fusion while it heals. Traditionally, a large incision is made to implant screws and rods that stabilize the spine. In contrast, percutaneous pedicle fixation is a minimally invasive spine surgery technique, performed through the skin without a traditional large incision to implant screws and rods that stabilize the spine. Pedicle screw placement is typically performed under X-ray fluoroscopy guidance which exposes the patient harmful radiation. Ultrasound is a safe and widely affordable imaging modality, however, learning to utilize it in pedicle screw placement demands extensive training. The first hurdle in the process is anatomical interpretation of the ultrasound imagery and planning the location of the pedicle screws. We propose an augmented reality approach to aid the learning the planning of ultrasound-guided pedicle screw placement, using the Microsoft Hololense holographic visualization platform, combined with the SlicerIGT free open source testbed previously developed at Queen’s. The outcome of the project will be free open source software that enables medical education researchers to develop curricula for ultrasound-guided percutaneous pedicle fixation training.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gabor Fichtinger

Student:

Partner:

Óbuda University

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Queen's University

Program: