SURGERY PLANNING
PRE-SURGERY SCAN UPLOADED
The patient’s CT scan data is uploaded into the PathKeeper system.
SURGERY PLANNING ON WORKSTATION
The proprietary software is state-of-the-art and was developed specifically for thoraco-lumbo-sacral spinal procedures. The CT scan is enhanced by the software which provides many graphical tools and an optimal planning and visualization environment. This enables the surgeon to make highly accurate and quantitative decisions for the surgery trajectory.
SET UP & REGISTRATION
TOOL CALIBRATION:
The operating tools are equipped with spatial markers – dynamic reference frames (DRFs) – and undergo a quick calibration process to ensure accurate coverage and tracking throughout the surgery. This setup is a matter of seconds.
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Once the patient is prepped and the target anatomy is exposed, the 3D camera captures a surface scan. A registration process is then performed so that the surgeon can verify that the CT data is accurately matched to the surface data. The system can take a 3D scan on-demand and update the registration in a few seconds, if necessary, with a click of a button.
NAVIGATION & IMPLANT INSERTION
RAPID ANATOMICAL POSITION UPDATING
The 3D camera tracks the movement of the spine reference DRF (which is rigidly attached to the patient’s anatomy) and the surgical tools. The PathKeeper software reflects the operative field accurately throughout the procedure. The system is uniquely capable of segmenting the spine to individual vertebrae and registering each vertebra individually. Ergo, it can later update the registration for each vertebra on-demand by a click of a button, independently and in a matter of seconds, compensating for the effect of spinal movement due to surgical actions (e.g. cage insertion, retraction, etc.). Furthermore, the system uses NIR light which is unhindered by the surgical illumination and does not interfere with the surgeon’s work.
GUIDED IMPLANT INSERTION
The navigation system guides the surgeon throughout the procedure and provides continuous feedback on the location and trajectory of the surgical tools. Once the location of the pedicle screw has been pre-planned, the system generates a superimposed image of the planned placement on the CT scan and guides the physician to align the navigated tools and screws on the preoperatively planned one.
