PROBES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED LANDMARK OR FIDUCIAL PLACEMENT IN MEDICAL IMAGES

Various embodiments provide probes, systems and methods to assist an arthroscopic, endoscopic or other surgical procedure by the placement of digital landmarks in selected locations in a surgical field of view. Many embodiments utilize a specialized probe having a tip with a spherical or other selected geometry of known dimensions to assist with placement of the landmark. The probe is placed at a desired anatomical location and imaged by an arthroscopic/endoscopic video camera. Embodiments may use a deep learning network to analyze the image data encoded by the camera, identify the probe and generate a segmented outline. Then, computer vision/shape fitting algorithms are used to generate a refined outline of the probe wherein the dimensions of the probe tip are used to improve the accuracy of the image including the tip. The improved tip image accuracy in turn improves the accuracy of the placement of a landmark using the tip.