StealthMate. A Patient Specific Solution for Surgical Guidance Systems
The push for a reduction of time under anaesthetic is a growing cause for innovation in healthcare - specifically in surgical treatment. A brief was presented by the client to develop a patient specific concept for neurology at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) exploring the use of additive manufacturing technology. The preliminary concept looked to address the limitations of the arduous setup of surgical instrument guidance. Predomenantly focussed around Deep brain stimumation, Brain biopsies and Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placements (common in paediatric cases).
One particular study suggests that the risk of “complications” post-surgery, increases significantly with prolonged surgery time. Suggesting that the likelihood doubles when operative time exceeds two hours and increases by 14% for every additional 30 minutes. Most of the previously mentioned procedures typically take around 90 minutes to 3 hours, leaving many these patient right on the precipitous of experiencing adverse effects post-surgery.
A significant percentage of surgery time is spent setting up the guidance rigs or other imagery guidance systems. The concept is designed to be used in addition to the MedTronic StealthStation, a navigation system that used infrared (IR) imagery to locate surgical instruments in relativity to the patients medical image (generally CT).
Project involvement & applied skills: Solo research project: Full CAD design including: image segmentation, design for manufacture, generative design, material testing, additive manufacturing, end user testing.
Keywords: Herston Biofabrication Institute, neurology, 3D printing, Medical engineering, FormLabs Dental, Digital anatomy, Fusion 360, Additive Manufacturing, Surgical guidance, MedTronic StealthStation.
The StealthStation uses infrared (IR) (most common) or electromagnetic (EM) imagery to match a CT scan of the patient’s anatomy in space. The StealthStation (SS) registers objects (patient, tools, etc) in space using reflective IR reference spheres. Specific SS tools like shunt placement probes or stylets can be detected directly by the StealthStation, however other generic tools can be mounted to a Stealth Vertek, a variable arm with IR reference spheres.
The IR reference spheres are coated in a reflective paint that allows the StealthStation to register an object’s orientation in space relative to the CT scan. These spheres are commonly used in the film industry for motion tracking.
The key area of the surgery where time is saved using the StealthMate is in this set-up period. Particularly with the StealthStation, design choices can be easily made to allow the concept to work harmoniously to aid the existing surgical guidance system, giving the clinician the added benefit of tactile feedback in addition the the visual guidance being supported by the StealthStation.
The design concept includes a series of channel inserts of varying diameters for various tool diameters for improved accuracy.