U.S. patent application number 14/806133 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for system and method for mapping anatomical structures and marking them on a substrate.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Ferass Abuzaina.
Application Number | 20150320511 14/806133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48703148 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150320511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abuzaina; Ferass |
November 12, 2015 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES AND MARKING
THEM ON A SUBSTRATE
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method and system for mapping
anatomical structures and marking them on an image to be printed on
a substrate including the steps of inserting an imaging device into
a surgical site, obtaining an image of a defect located in the
surgical site from the imaging device, adjusting the image,
transmitting the image to a printer, and printing the image on a
substrate. The printed image may be a size directly proportional to
the defect. The adjusting step may further include the steps of
setting a minimum margin to be maintained between the perimeter of
the defect and the perimeter of the substrate, selecting a shape
and size of the substrate, and identifying at least one anatomical
feature of the surgical site.
Inventors: |
Abuzaina; Ferass; (Shelton,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48703148 |
Appl. No.: |
14/806133 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13898887 |
May 21, 2013 |
9107570 |
|
|
14806133 |
|
|
|
|
61661563 |
Jun 19, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1079 20130101;
A61F 2250/0097 20130101; A61F 2/0063 20130101; A61B 2034/107
20160201; A61B 2034/105 20160201; A61F 2240/002 20130101; A61B 1/04
20130101; A61B 1/3132 20130101; A61B 34/10 20160201; A61B 1/00043
20130101; A61B 2034/2065 20160201; A61B 1/00009 20130101; A61B
2034/2055 20160201; A61B 34/20 20160201 |
International
Class: |
A61B 19/00 20060101
A61B019/00; A61B 5/107 20060101 A61B005/107; A61B 1/00 20060101
A61B001/00; A61B 1/313 20060101 A61B001/313 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A system for mapping anatomical structures and marking them on
a substrate for use in a surgical procedure, comprising: an image
capturing unit configured to capture an image of a defect in a
surgical site; an image processing unit configured to adjust the
image; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the image to
a printer, wherein the printer is configured to print the image on
a substrate.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the printed image is a size
directly proportional to the defect.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the image processing unit is
further configured to: set a minimum margin to be maintained
between an edge of the defect and an edge of the substrate; and
measure the defect.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the image processing unit is
further configured to select a shape and size of the substrate
sufficient to maintain the minimum margin between the edge of the
defect and the edge of the substrate.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the image processing unit is
further configured to identify at least one anatomical feature of
the surgical site, and mark the anatomical feature on the
image.
17. The system of claim 12, wherein the image processing unit is
further configured to preview and edit the image prior to printing
the image on the substrate.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the substrate is a mesh.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the substrate is a film.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the film is attached to a mesh.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/898,887 filed May 21, 2013, which claims priority to,
and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/661,563, filed on Jun. 19, 2012, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method
for mapping of internal anatomical features and printing them on a
substrate. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to
providing an internal probe to capture an image of a surgical site
with anatomical features and a printing device for printing the
image of the anatomical features on a mesh substrate.
[0004] The present application claims priority to, and the benefit
of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/661,563, filed
on Jun. 19, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Image guided surgery has become more and more common, in
part because of the ability of a surgeon to view internal images of
a patient's anatomy and pre-plan a medical operation. In this way,
for example, pre-acquired images of the anatomical body are used to
plan the course of the medical procedure, whether the medical
procedure is diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical in nature. The
pre-acquired images may also be used, to some extent, during the
medical procedure for orientation of the surgeon with respect to
the internal anatomy of the patient.
[0007] The images of a patient's external or internal anatomy used
in image guided surgery may be generated by, for example,
computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
video, ultrasound, and X-rays. Images may also be captured using
angiography, single photon emission computer tomography, and
positron emission tomography (PET).
[0008] Hernias are abnormal protrusions of an organ or other body
structure through a defect or natural opening in a covering
membrane, e.g., a wall of a cavity that normally contains the organ
or other body structure. For example, inguinal hernias are,
typically, caused by soft tissue from the intestines protruding
through the inguinal wall. Ventral hernias, on the other hand, are
caused by internal organs pushing through to a weak spot in the
abdominal wall.
[0009] The use of prosthetic mesh has now become accepted practice
in the treatment of patients with both inguinal and ventral
hernias, as well as other types of hernias, e.g., hiatal, femoral,
umbilical, diaphragmatic, etc. To endoscopically apply the mesh for
hernia repair, a surgical region (i.e., adjacent the cavity wall)
is, typically, insufflated. Subsequently, a surgeon selects points
on the cavity wall where the surgeon believes a peripheral edge of
the mesh, i.e., the expected corners of a mesh (assuming a
rectangular mesh), will be affixed.
[0010] In certain instances, prior to affixing the mesh, the mesh
is, initially, held in position by pressing on the mesh from
outside the body while observing the mesh through a laparoscope or,
conversely, pressing upward against the mesh with the use of one or
more suitable devices, e.g., an atraumatic grasper or the like.
Thereafter, the surgical mesh is often affixed, e.g., sutured or
tacked using a fastener, to the cavity wall by conventional
techniques.
[0011] Unfortunately, this method has shortcomings. Once the mesh
is initially held in position, a surgeon does not know what
anatomical features are located behind the mesh. When suturing or
tacking the mesh to the surface, the surgeon must be aware of the
anatomical features behind the mesh so as to avoid tacking or
stapling into nerves or blood vessels, which can cause acute and
chronic pain as well as bleeding. Accordingly, a need exists for
mapping the anatomical structures and marking them on the mesh so
the surgeon will be aware of the proper suturing positions when
affixing the mesh to the tissue surface.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present disclosure provides a method for mapping
anatomical structures and marking them on an image to be printed on
a substrate. The method includes the steps of inserting an imaging
device into a surgical site, obtaining an image of a defect in the
surgical site from the imaging device, adjusting the image,
transmitting the image to a printer, and printing the image on a
substrate. The printed image may be a size directly proportional to
the defect in the surgical site. The adjusting step may further
include the steps of setting a minimum margin to be maintained
between the perimeter of the defect and the perimeter of the
substrate, and measuring the defect. Additionally or alternatively,
the adjusting step may further include identifying at least one
anatomical feature of the surgical site and marking the anatomical
feature on the image. Additionally or alternatively, a substrate of
sufficient size and/or shape may be selected which maintains the
minimum margin between the perimeter of the defect and the
perimeter of the substrate. Additionally, the image may be
previewed and edited prior to being printed on the substrate. The
method may further include the steps of inserting the substrate
into the surgical site and aligning the substrate over the defect
in the surgical site. Additionally, the method may further include
the steps of obtaining a second image of the defect in the surgical
site with the substrate over the defect and comparing the first
image to the second image.
[0013] In some embodiments, the substrate that the image is printed
on is a mesh. Alternatively, the substrate that the image is
printed on is a starch based paper, e.g., rice paper, where the
starch based paper is attached to a mesh.
[0014] The present disclosure also provides a system for mapping
anatomical structures and marking them on an image to be printed on
a substrate including an image capturing unit for capturing an
image of a defect in a surgical site, an image processing unit for
adjusting the captured image, and a transmitting unit for
transmitting the image to a printer for printing the image on a
substrate. The printed image may be a size directly proportional to
defect in the surgical site. The image processing unit may further
be configured to set a minimum margin to be maintained between the
perimeter of the defect and the perimeter of the substrate, measure
the size of the defect, and select a shape and size of the
substrate sufficient to maintain the minimum margin set.
Additionally or alternatively, the image processing unit may
identify at least one anatomical feature of the surgical site and
mark the anatomical features on the image to be printed on the
substrate. Additionally, the image processing unit may preview and
edit the image for printing.
[0015] In some embodiments of the system, the substrate that the
image is printed on is a mesh. Alternatively, the substrate that
the image is printed on is a starch based paper, e.g., a rice
paper, where the starch based paper is attached to a mesh.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mesh according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a film before being
attached to a mesh substrate according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a view of the printed image on the mesh placed
over a hernia according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow-chart of a method for mapping anatomical
structures according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow-chart of a method for mapping anatomical
structures according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed
herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of
the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art
to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a system 10 for use
in minimally invasive surgery. The system 10 is configured to map
anatomical structures or features "A" of a surgical site "S" and
mark the anatomical features "A" on a substrate 100. System 10
includes an image capturing unit 20, an image processing unit 30,
and a printing unit 70. Image capturing unit 20 is configured to
obtain or capture an image of the surgical site "S." Surgical site
"S" includes a defect "D", for example a hernia defect, and
anatomical features "A." All or a portion of the anatomical
features "A" may be disposed on all or a portion of the defect "D"
of the surgical site "S."
[0025] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the image capturing
unit 20 is operatively coupled to the image processing unit 30 via
line 23. Although image capturing unit 20 is shown as being
operatively coupled to image processing unit 30 via line 23, image
capturing unit 20 may be coupled to image processing unit 30 by any
means, such as, without limitation, wirelessly. Image processing
unit 30 is operatively coupled to printing unit 70 via cable 12.
Although image processing unit 30 is shown as being operatively
coupled to printing unit 70 via cable 12, image processing unit 30
may be coupled to printing unit 70 by any means, such as, without
limitation, wirelessly. Additionally, or alternatively, image
capturing unit 20 may be operatively coupled to printing unit 70
directly, and image capturing unit 20 may be configured to perform
all of the operations of image processing unit 30. Additionally, or
alternatively, image capturing unit 20 may be operatively coupled
to printing unit 70, and printing unit 70 may be configured to
perform all of the operations of image processing unit 30.
[0026] The image capturing unit 20 is positioned within a surgical
site "S" to obtain an image of the defect "D" and all of the
anatomical features "A" and transmit the image to the image
processing unit 30. As described above, the image capturing unit 20
may transmit the image to the image processing unit 30 via line 23
or a wireless connection (not shown).
[0027] The image processing unit 30 is configured to adjust and/or
scale the image captured by the image capturing unit 20. In
addition, the image processing unit 30 may be configured to measure
the size of the defect "D" and may further be configured to
identify a perimeter, i.e., edges, of the defect "D." Additionally,
or alternatively, a user may manually measure the size of the
defect "D" and input the measurements via a graphic user
interface.
[0028] Upon adjusting and/or scaling the image, the image
processing unit 30 may further be configured to set a desired
minimum margin "M" based on the edges of a portion of the surgical
site "S" and the edges of defect "D." The minimum margin "M" may be
automatically set by the image processing unit 30 or it may be
selected by the user, as will be described in further detail below.
The minimum margin "M" acts as a reference point to indicate the
minimum distance required between the perimeter, i.e., edges, of
the defect "D" and the edge of the substrate 100. By setting a
minimum margin "M," an appropriate shape and/or size substrate 100
may be selected, as will be described in further detail below. The
minimum margin "M" acts as only a minimum value, and it is
understood that the edge of the substrate 100 may exceed the
minimum value as allowed by the surgical site "S" and/or as desired
by the user. Additionally, or alternatively, and as will be
described in further detail below, the portion or area defined by
the minimum margin "M" may be a region where a user/surgeon may
affix the substrate 100 to the surgical site "S" over the defect
"D."
[0029] Upon setting a desired minimum margin "M," the image
processing unit 30 may further be configured to select an
appropriate substrate 100 shape and/or size from a collection of
common shapes and sizes based on the measured size of the defect
"D," the minimum margin "M" required between the edge of the defect
"D" and the edge of the substrate 100, and the surgical site "S."
It is preferred that the size of the substrate 100 is large enough
to overlap each minimum margin "M," without exceeding the size of
the surgical site "S." However, the size of the substrate 100 may
be the same size of the region defined by the defect and the
combined minimum margins "M." Additionally, or alternatively, a
user may select a substrate 100 shape and the image processing unit
30 would then select the appropriate size of the selected shape in
accordance with the set minimum margins "M" so that the substrate
100 will be sure to properly fit over the defect "D."
[0030] As described above, the image processing unit 30 may be
further configured to identify the edges of the defect "D" and mark
the edges of the defect "D" on the image. The identification and
marking of the edges of the defect "D" may be accomplished by means
of image recognition software. Additionally or alternatively, image
processing unit 30 may be operated by a user via a graphical user
interface and a surgeon/user may identify and/or mark the edges of
the defect "D" manually via a graphical user interface.
[0031] In addition, the image processing unit 30 may be configured
to identify and mark the anatomical structures or features "A,"
such as, without limitation, arteries, bones, and the like on the
image for printing on the substrate 100. The identification and
marking of the anatomical structures or features "A" on the image
may be accomplished by means of image recognition software.
Additionally or alternatively, as noted above, the image processing
unit 30 may be operated by a user via a graphical user interface
and a surgeon/user may identify and/or mark the anatomical
structures or features "A" on the image manually via the graphical
user interface.
[0032] In addition, the image processing unit 30 may be further
configured to optimize the substrate 100 placement to achieve the
desired minimum margins "M" around the perimeter of the defect "D."
More particularly, subsequent to substrate 100 placement on the
defect "D," if the substrate 100 does not line up with the margins
"M," the image processing unit 30 is configured to re-select a
second substrate 100 shape and/or size that would be sufficient to
maintain the minimum margin "M" around the entire perimeter of
defect "D."
[0033] Image processing unit 30 transmits the adjusted image to the
printing unit 70 for printing the image onto a substrate 100. Image
processing unit 30 may be connected to printing unit 70 wirelessly
(not shown) or via wire 12 as shown.
[0034] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, printing unit 70 is
configured to print the image captured by image capturing unit 20
subsequent to proper adjustment by image processing unit 30.
Printing unit 70 prints the image on a substrate 100 which can take
the form of a mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) or a film 100b (FIG. 2B) which
can be attached to a mesh 100c (FIG. 2B). The printing unit 70
prints the image captured including all of the anatomical features
"A" which were identified and marked by the image processing unit
30 onto film 100b (FIG. 2B). Subsequent to printing the image onto
the film 100b, film 100b may be attached to a mesh 100c (FIG. 2B).
Alternatively, the printing unit 70 prints the image captured by
the image capturing unit 20 including all of the anatomical
features "A" which were identified and marked by the image
processing unit 30 directly onto the mesh 100a (FIG. 2A).
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 2A, the substrate 100 is shown as a mesh
100a. The surgical mesh 100a and 100c (FIG. 2B) described herein
may include porous fabrics made from intertwined filaments. The
filaments may be monofilaments or multi-filaments and, in
embodiments, a plurality of multi-filaments may be combined to form
yarns. The filaments may extend horizontally and vertically in a
manner which produces sections where the filaments cross-over one
another creating points of common intersection. The surgical mesh
100a and/or 100c (FIG. 2B) may be woven, non-woven, knitted or
braided. In some embodiments, the filaments may form
two-dimensional or three-dimensional meshes.
[0036] Continuing with reference to FIG. 2A, the image is printed
directly on to the mesh 100a which includes landmarks 25. Landmarks
25 are printed images of the anatomical features "A" (FIGS. 1 and
3) which would be present behind the mesh 100a when the mesh 100a
is placed over the defect "D" in the surgical site "S" (FIGS. 1 and
3). Landmarks 25 assist a surgeon in providing the surgeon with an
image of the anatomical features "A" which are located behind the
mesh 100a. With landmarks 25 in sight, a surgeon may avoid tacking,
or otherwise affixing, those areas in which anatomical features "A"
are located by not tacking, or otherwise affixing, in regions where
the landmarks 25 are visible. Additionally, or alternatively,
landmarks 25 may assist a surgeon with proper placement of mesh
100a over the defect "D" of the surgical site "S." Specifically, a
surgeon may line up each edge of the landmarks 25 with the
corresponding anatomical feature "A" so as to ensure proper
placement of the mesh 100a.
[0037] Although mesh 100a is shown as a rectangular shape in FIG.
2A, it is understood that mesh 100a will take the shape/size as set
by image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1) or as set by the user, as
described above. It is understood that any given distance between
the edge of mesh 100a and the edge of defect "D" may not be lower
than the distance set as the minimum margin "M" (FIG. 1).
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 2B, substrate 100 is shown as a film
100b which is configured to attach to a mesh 100c, similar to the
mesh of 100a described above. The image captured by image capturing
unit 20 and adjusted by image processing unit 30 may be printed by
printing unit 70 directly onto film 100b. The film 100b may be a
biopolymer or film such as, without limitation, a starch-based
paper such as rice-film. As shown in FIG. 2B, landmarks 25 are
printed directly onto the film 100b which represent the anatomical
features "A" on the defect "D" of the surgical site "S." Subsequent
to printing the image onto the film 100b, the film 100b is adhered
to the mesh 100c. As described above with respect to mesh 100a,
with landmarks 25 of mesh 100c in sight, a surgeon may avoid
tacking, or otherwise affixing, those areas in which anatomical
features "A" are located by not tacking, or otherwise affixing, in
regions where the landmarks 25 are visible. Additionally, or
alternatively, landmarks 25 may assist a surgeon with proper
placement of mesh 100c over the defect "D" of the surgical site
"S." Specifically, a surgeon may line up each edge of the landmarks
25 with the corresponding anatomical feature "A" so as to ensure
proper placement of the mesh 100c.
[0039] Although film 100b and mesh 100c are shown as a rectangular
shape in FIG. 2B, it is understood that film 100b and mesh 100c may
take the shape/size as set by image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1) or
as set by the user, as described above. It is understood that any
given distance between the edge of film 100b and mesh 100c and the
edge of defect "D" may not be lower than the distance set as the
minimum margin "M" (FIG. 1).
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 3, substrate 100, i.e., mesh 100a, or
film 100b and mesh 100c, is shown placed over the defect "D" of the
surgical site "S." All or a portion of anatomical features "A" are
covered by substrate 100. Substrate 100 includes landmarks 25 in
the portions where anatomical features "A" are blocked by substrate
100. Landmarks 25 may be used by a surgeon to identify which
portions of the substrate 100 may not be tacked, or otherwise
affixed, thereby assisting the surgeon in identifying regions that
should not be tacked, or otherwise affixed, i.e., regions including
anatomical features "A."
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 4, a method 200 for mapping anatomical
features "A" (FIG. 1) on a substrate 100 (FIG. 1) is shown. At step
210, an image capturing unit 20, such as, without limitation, a
laparoscope, is inserted into a surgical site "S," i.e., a
patient's body through an opening into a cavity. Subsequent to
inserting the imaging device 20 into the surgical site "S," at step
220, an image is captured of the surgical site "S" which includes
the defect "D" and anatomical features "A."
[0042] At step 230, the image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1) adjusts
the scale of the image to a desired size and measures the defect
"D." Additionally or alternatively, and as described above, the
measurement of defect "D" may be carried out manually by the
surgeon by means known in the art such as with a tape measure. The
manually measured size of defect "D" may then be entered as data
into the graphical user interface as described above. As noted
above, the image processing unit 30 is configured to adjust and/or
scale the image captured by the image capturing unit 20, for
example to correct the angle, planarity or size of the image. The
image processing unit 30 may further be configured to set a desired
minimum margin "M" based on the edges of a portion of the surgical
site "S," and the edges of the defect "D." Upon adjusting and/or
scaling the image and setting the desired minimum margins "M" to be
maintained, the image processing unit 30 may further be configured
to select an appropriate substrate 100 shape and/or size from a
collection of common shapes and sizes sufficient to maintain the
minimum margin "M" and cover the area of defect "D."
[0043] At step 235, a determination is made as to whether the image
will be printed directly onto mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) or onto film 100b
(FIG. 2B). If at step 235 a determination is made to print onto
mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) then the method 200 proceeds to step 240a.
Alternatively, if at step 235 a determination is made to print onto
film 100b (FIG. 2B), the method 200 will proceed to step 240b. The
determination may be made by any component of system 10 (FIG. 1)
such as, without limitation, image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1).
Alternatively, a user may make the determination via the graphical
user interface described above.
[0044] At step 240a, the printing unit 70 prints the image directly
onto the mesh 100a (FIG. 2A). Alternatively, at step 240b, the
printing unit 70 prints the image onto a film 100b (FIG. 2B) which
is subsequently attached to a mesh 100c (FIG. 2B) at step
240bb.
[0045] Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, at step 250, either
mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) or mesh 100c (FIG. 2B) with the image of the
anatomical features "A" is inserted into the surgical site "S." At
step 260, the mesh 100a or 100c is aligned onto the defect "D" such
that landmarks 25 (FIG. 3) line up with the anatomical features "A"
of the surgical site "S" located around or on the defect "D."
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 5, a method 300 for mapping anatomical
features "A" (FIG. 1) on a substrate 100 (FIG. 1) is shown. At step
310, an image capturing unit 20, such as, without limitation, a
laparoscope, is inserted into a surgical site "S," i.e., a
patient's body through an opening into a cavity. Subsequent to
inserting the imaging device 20 into the surgical site "S," at step
320, a first image is captured of the surgical site "S."
[0047] At step 330, the image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1) adjusts
the scale of the image to a desired size and measures the defect
"D." Additionally or alternatively, and as described above, the
measurement of defect "D" may be carried out manually by the
surgeon by means known in the art such as with a tape measure. The
manually measured size of defect "D" may then be entered as data
into the graphical user interface as described above. As noted
above, the image processing unit 30 is configured to adjust and/or
scale the image captured by the image capturing unit 20. Upon
adjusting and/or scaling the image, the image processing unit 30
may further be configured to select an appropriate substrate 100
shape and/or size from a collection of available shapes and sizes.
The image processing unit 30 may further be configured to set a
desired minimum margin "M" based on the edges of at least a portion
of the surgical site "S" and the edges of the defect "D" to ensure
that the substrate 100 will be a proper shape and/or size
sufficient to maintain the desired minimum margins "M" around the
perimeter of defect "D" while covering the area of defect "D." For
example, a user could input the desired minimum margin "M" size,
e.g., 4 or 5 cm, and the image processing unit 30 could optimize
mapping of the defect "D" onto the mesh 100a or the film 100b to
ensure that the desired minimum margin "M" is maintained on at
least a portion of the substrate 100, including restricting the
user's choice of substrate shapes or sizes to only those shapes and
sizes sufficient to maintain the desired minimum margin "M" around
the perimeter of the defect "D."
[0048] At step 335, a determination is made as to whether the image
will be printed directly onto mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) or onto film 100b
(FIG. 2B). If at step 335 a determination is made to print onto
mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) then the method 300 proceeds to step 340a.
Alternatively, if at step 335 a determination is made to print onto
film 100b (FIG. 2B), the method 300 will proceed to step 340b. The
determination may be made by any component of system 10 (FIG. 1)
such as, without limitation, image processing unit 30 (FIG. 1).
Alternatively, a user may make the determination via the graphical
user interface described above.
[0049] At step 340a, the printing unit 70 prints the image directly
onto the mesh 100a (FIG. 2A). Alternatively, at step 340b, the
printing unit 70 prints the image onto a film 100b (FIG. 2B) which
is subsequently attached to a mesh 100c (FIG. 2B) at step
340bb.
[0050] Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, at step 350, either
mesh 100a (FIG. 2A) or mesh 100c (FIG. 2B) with the image of the
anatomical features "A" is inserted into the surgical site "S." At
step 360, the mesh 100a or 100c is aligned onto the defect "D" such
that landmarks 25 (FIG. 3) line up with the anatomical features "A"
of the surgical site "S." At step 370 a second image of the
surgical site "S" is obtained with the mesh 100a or 100c attached
to the defect "D" prior to affixing, i.e., tacking, the mesh 100a
or 100c to the defect "D." At step 380, the first image captured at
step 320 is compared to the second image captured at step 370 to
ensure that the landmarks 25 are aligned with the anatomical
features "A" of the surgical site "S" behind the mesh 100a (FIG.
2A) or 100c (FIG. 2B).
[0051] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown
in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within
the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
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