Design and Fabrication of a Conceptual Model for a Portable Ring Shaped Medical Imaging Apparatus

Abstract

Medical imaging plays a crucial role in various healthcare procedures, with the demand for efficient and precise imaging methods steadily increasing. One such critical application is spinal surgery, where the sensitivity of the operation necessitates imaging solutions that minimize patient movement while ensuring accuracy and convenience. Due to this, portable imaging devices are getting more and more relevant. Although several portable imaging devices exist for capturing images from different angles, a majority of them still rely on manual operation and lack the capability to rotate a full 360 degrees. In this research, a conceptual model of an apparatus was designed and fabricated that can easily take images from all 360 degrees with its motorized axes and can be controlled remotely, So it will alleviate the harmful effects of X-rays for the surgeon and the medical staff. The acquired 360-degree images are subsequently transformed into 3D models using advanced 3D image reconstruction techniques. 72 images were taken with the apparatus and reconstructed into a 3D model using the SURF method and with an error of 1.84 cm. This platform can be used in further research such as online surgery verification, robotic surgery integration and also motion artifact compensation using its motorized axes.