Page 16 - Orthofeed_Issue4_Feb2022

Article 3

Optical sensing addresses clinical needs in orthopedic

surgery that are unmet

Imaging techniques are widely used in knee
replacement surgeries such as, infrared
navigation, CT scanning, and endoscopy. These
are tools used to assist orthopedic surgeons in
surgical planning and help provide visual
assistance. However, the maximum capacity of
optical sensing methods in orthopedic surgery is
yet to be explored. Researchers from Ireland
University studied the potential of optical
sensing in orthopedic surgical devices. 1, 2, 3

Though, multiple options of optical sensing
methods are available, their use depends on the
intended purpose. For example, optical
coherence tomography (OCT) is preferred for
imaging of tissue microstructures, whereas
Raman spectroscopy is used to report the Figure 1. Optical tracking system used in orthopedic
surgical navigation.
4
molecular signatures of a tissue. 1
Surgeons benefit immensely from the visual cues provided from the optical sensor. The green light from the
optical sensor indicates the usage of drill, thus identifying the correct bone zone. The warning light indicates a
boundary such as collagen, blood, myelin, or lipids (Figure 1). 1, 3

Though multiple challenges exist in optical sensors integration, there are vast opportunities and along with
progression of technology, much scope is awaiting optical sensing methods. There is a need to do proper ground
work upon this technique as it will improve the outcome in orthopedic surgeries and further integration with AI
tools will help assist surgeons in making the surgical process easier. 1, 3

The integration of new optical sensing methods infused in surgical tools or instrument will further simplify
knee/orthopedic surgery and will pave way for a new beginning in biomedical optics community. 2

References
1) Emily Henderson B. Optical sensing can address unmet clinical needs in orthopedic surgery. News-Medical.net.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220106/Optical-sensing-can-address-unmet-clinical-needs-in-orthopedic-surgery.aspx.Published 2022. Accessed February 22, 2022.

2) Fisher C, Harty J, Yee A, et al. Perspective on the integration of optical sensing into orthopedic surgical devices. J Biomed Opt. 2022;27(1):010601.
3) Optical sensing for orthopedic surgery. Spie.org. https://www.spie.org/news/optical-sensing-for-orthopedic-surgery. Published 2022. Accessed February 22, 2022.

4) Mahfouz M, Kuhn M, To G, Fathy A. Integration of UWB and Wireless Pressure Mapping in Surgical Navigation. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech. 2009;57(10):2550-2564.