Video-based computer aided arthroscopy for patient specific reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel intra-operative video guidance system for ACL reconstruction, utilizing visual markers and registration algorithms to improve tunnel placement accuracy during arthroscopy.

Contribution

The study presents the first intra-operative video-based guidance system for ACL tunnel drilling, enhancing surgical precision with visual markers and image registration.

Findings

Accurate registration of pre-operative images with bone surface achieved

Guidance system improves tunnel placement accuracy

Experimental validation demonstrates system effectiveness

Abstract

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear is a common medical condition that is treated using arthroscopy by pulling a tissue graft through a tunnel opened with a drill. The correct anatomical position and orientation of this tunnel is crucial for knee stability, and drilling an adequate bone tunnel is the most technically challenging part of the procedure. This paper presents, for the first time, a guidance system based solely on intra-operative video for guiding the drilling of the tunnel. Our solution uses small, easily recognizable visual markers that are attached to the bone and tools for estimating their relative pose. A recent registration algorithm is employed for aligning a pre-operative image of the patient's anatomy with a set of contours reconstructed by touching the bone surface with an instrumented tool. Experimental validation using ex-vivo data shows that the method enables the accurate registration of the pre-operative model with the bone, providing useful information for guiding the surgeon during the medical procedure.