Optimization of virtual and real registration technology based on augmented reality in a surgical navigation system

BACKGROUND: The traditional navigation interface was intended only for two-dimensional observation by doctors; thus, this interface does not display the total spatial information for the lesion area. Surgical navigation systems have become essential tools that enable for doctors to accurately and safely perform complex operations. The image navigation interface is separated from the operating area, and the doctor needs to switch the field of vision between the screen and the patient’s lesion area. In this paper, augmented reality (AR) technology was applied to spinal surgery to provide more intuitive information to surgeons. The accuracy of virtual and real registration was improved via research on AR technology. During the operation, the doctor could observe the AR image and the true shape of the internal spine through the skin. METHODS: To improve the accuracy of virtual and real registration, a virtual and real registration technique based on an improved identification method and robot-assisted method was proposed. The experimental method was optimized by using the improved identification method. X-ray images were used to verify the effectiveness of the puncture performed by the robot. RESULTS: The final experimental results show that the average accuracy of the virtual and real registration based on the general identification method was 9.73 ± 0.46 mm (range 8.90–10.23 mm). The average accuracy of the virtual and real registration based on the improved identification method was 3.54 ± 0.13 mm (range 3.36–3.73 mm). Compared with the virtual and real registration based on the general identification method, the accuracy was improved by approximately 65%. The highest accuracy of the virtual and real registration based on the robot-assisted method was 2.39 mm. The accuracy was improved by approximately 28.5% based on the improved identification method. CONCLUSION: The experimental results show that the two optimized methods are highly very effective. The proposed AR navigation system has high accuracy and stability. This system may have value in future spinal surgeries.