Preclinical usability study of multiple augmented reality concepts for K-wire placement

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Mixed Reality

Background:

• Accurate instrument placement is crucial for orthopedic fracture repair.
• Current C-arm imaging methods lead to high radiation exposure and prolonged surgery.
• Pelvic surgeries present unique challenges for instrument alignment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate mixed reality (MR) visualization techniques for assisting orthopedic instrument placement.
• To compare MR systems against conventional intra-operative imaging in a preclinical setting.
• To assess the impact of MR on surgical efficiency and accuracy.

Main Methods:

• A usability study was conducted comparing three MR systems for K-wire placement.
• Systems included interventional X-ray, 2D X-ray augmentation, and 3D surface reconstruction with digital radiography.
• Surgeons performed 21 interventions on phantoms, evaluating duration, image acquisition, accuracy, and task load.

Main Results:

• Mixed reality visualization demonstrated statistically significant improvements in surgical efficiency.
• Reduced duration and fewer X-ray images were observed with MR systems.
• Enhanced accuracy in K-wire placement was noted.

Conclusions:

• 3D mixed reality visualization offers significant advantages over conventional X-ray imaging.
• MR provides intuitive feedback for correct and efficient medical tool placement.
• This technology has the potential to enhance surgical outcomes and reduce procedural burdens.