Ultrasonography System Aided by Fuzzy Logic for Identifying Implant Position in Bone

Maki ENDO  Kouki NAGAMUNE  Nao SHIBANUMA  Syoji KOBASHI  Katsuya KONDO  Yutaka HATA  

Publication
IEICE TRANSACTIONS on Information and Systems   Vol.E90-D   No.12   pp.1990-1997
Publication Date: 2007/12/01
Online ISSN: 1745-1361
DOI: 10.1093/ietisy/e90-d.12.1990
Print ISSN: 0916-8532
Type of Manuscript: PAPER
Category: Computation and Computational Models
Keyword: 
fuzzy inference,  intramedullary nail,  ultrasound,  orthopedic surgery,  

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Summary: 
We describe a new ultrasonography system, which can identify an implant position in bone. Although conventional X-ray fluoroscopy can visualize implants, it has the serious disadvantage of X-ray exposure. Therefore, we developed a system for orthopedic surgery that involves no X-ray exposure. Barriers to the development of the system were overcome using an ultrasonic instrument and fuzzy logic techniques. We located distal transverse screw holes in an intramedullary nail during surgery for femur fracture. The screw hole positions are identified by calculating two fuzzy degrees of intensity and the variance. Results allow this system to identify the screw hole positions within an error of 1.43 mm, an error ratio adequate for clinical surgical practice.