A photoacoustics-enhanced drilling probe for radiation-free pedicle screw implantation in spinal surgery

Liu, Li1; Zhao, Yongjian1; Li, Ang1; Yu, Xianghu2; Xiao, Xiao2; Liu, Siyu3; Meng, Max Q. -H.1,2

2022-09-15

10.3389/fbioe.2022.1000950

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology   Impact Factor & Quartile

2296-4185

This article proposes a novel intra-operative navigation and sensing system that optimizes the functional accuracy of spinal pedicle screw implantation. It does so by incorporating radiation-free and multi-scale macroscopic 3D ultrasound (US) imaging and local tissue-awareness from in situ photoacoustic (PA) sensing at a clinically relevant mesoscopic scale. More specifically, 3D US imaging is employed for online status updates of spinal segment posture to determine the appropriate entry point and coarse drilling path once non-negligible or relative patient motion occurs between inter-vertebral segments in the intra-operative phase. Furthermore, a sophisticated sensor-enhanced drilling probe has been developed to facilitate fine-grained local navigation that integrates a PA endoscopic imaging component for in situ tissue sensing. The PA signals from a sideways direction to differentiate cancellous bone from harder cortical bone, or to indicate weakened osteoporotic bone within the vertebrae. In so doing it prevents cortical breaches, strengthens implant stability, and mitigates iatrogenic injuries of the neighboring artery and nerves. To optimize this PA-enhanced endoscopic probe design, the light absorption spectrum of cortical bone and cancellous bone are measured in vitro, and the associated PA signals are characterized. Ultimately, a pilot study is performed on an ex vivo bovine spine to validate our developed multi-scale navigation and sensing system. The experimental results demonstrate the clinical feasibility, and hence the great potential, for functionally accurate screw implantation in complex spinal stabilization interventions.

multi-scale navigation and sensing ultrasound-based surgical navigation photoacoustic endoscopy robotic-assisted spinal surgery cancellous bone characterization in situ tissue sensing pedicle screw implantation

SCI

English

Others

National Key R&D program of China[2019YFB1312400] ; Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Fund["CRF C402621GF","CRF C4063-18G"] ; General Research Fund["14220622","14204321","14211420"] ; Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province[BK20210323]

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology ; Science & Technology - Other Topics

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology ; Multidisciplinary Sciences

WOS:000862314900001

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

Web of Science

1.Chinese Univ Hong Kong, Dept Elect Engn, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Elect & Elect Engn, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
3.Nanjing Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Sci, Nanjing, Peoples R China

Liu, Li,Zhao, Yongjian,Li, Ang,et al. A photoacoustics-enhanced drilling probe for radiation-free pedicle screw implantation in spinal surgery[J]. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology,2022,10.

Liu, Li.,Zhao, Yongjian.,Li, Ang.,Yu, Xianghu.,Xiao, Xiao.,...&Meng, Max Q. -H..(2022).A photoacoustics-enhanced drilling probe for radiation-free pedicle screw implantation in spinal surgery.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology,10.

Liu, Li,et al."A photoacoustics-enhanced drilling probe for radiation-free pedicle screw implantation in spinal surgery".Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 10(2022).