In-situ Ultrasound Guided Closed Long Bone Shaft Fracture Treatments

Closed Reduction and Internal Fixation (CRIF) is the preferred treatment for closed long bone shaft fractures, where frequent X-rays imaging reduce efficiency and increase radiation exposure. Intra-operative ultrasound offers real-time, radiation-free bone imaging, but challenges orthopedic surgeons. To address this, we developed an Augmented Reality (AR) navigation system with in-situ ultrasound visualization, combining on-device infrared tool tracking via an AR headset’s depth sensor with remote rendering for accurate, low-latency images. A standard operating procedure for surgical application was also proposed. Clinical trials with six patients showed significant reduction in fluoroscopy dose and operation time.