Development of a computer-aided training system for pedicle screw implantation

In this research, we developed an intelligent, computer-assisted training system for pedicle screw implantation in spinal surgery. Base on the biplane X-ray imaging of a pre-drilled saw bone of lumbosacral spine, spatial coordinate correlations between the physical saw bone and the 3D digitizer built an off-line training environment. A senior spine surgeon prepares the pre-drilled position as a standard and the trainee uses the 3D digitizer to approach the referential standard. The techniques developed in this system involve X-ray imaging rectification, registration, image processing, imaging dilation and erosion, bi-plane calibration, and spatial geometric transformation, which will be a pioneer study of further clinical applications. The position accuracy of the guiding system is within 1 mm, and angular accuracy is within 1.5°, which may meet the basic surgical requirements for lumbosacral spine. Eventually, the developed training device was applied to several orthopedics surgeons to collect and analyze the angulation test results.