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55

Both MRI images and CT images can be used specifically to determine a location of pedicles of each vertebra of the patient. Both MRI images and CT images provide cross-sectional images of the patient and body parts of the patient. Each of these images may be referred to as a slice or “cut” because it is a two-dimensional image of the three-dimensional structure. During preoperative planning or even intraoperatively a surgeon can review a CT cut for each pedicle 114, 116 of a vertebra 100. The CT imaging system may include a coordinate system overlay and/or a data reading of the orientation angle (e.g., angle A) of the longitudinal axis of each pedicle. The surgeon may note that orientation angle for use during the procedure. The orientation angle serves as the desired orientation angle for deployment of fixation devices (e.g., pedicle screws) in relation to the pedicle. Alternatively, or in addition, the surgeon may determine that the desired orientation angle for deployment is +/- 1-3 degrees (or tenths of degrees) of the orientation angle reported by the CT cut. The desired orientation angle for deployment can serve as a trajectory for deployment of a pedicle screw from a posterior surface of the second lamina 112 between the spinous process 104 and second transverse process 108.

Added by DJM 1 2022