Angled Marker Plane for Surgical Instrument Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical tracking systems face challenges in accurately tracking handheld medical instruments with overhead tracking systems due to marker shadowing and occlusion when the marker plane is parallel to the instrument shaft, especially in direct overhead viewing configurations.
Innovation Solution
A marker assembly with tracking markers affixed to a support member, allowing the marker plane to be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handheld implement, ensuring visibility and accurate tracking by an overhead tracking system, and a system of connection adapters for interchangeable marker assemblies to accommodate various medical instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the marker plane is parallel to the instrument shaft, then the tracking system can be oriented to view the side of the shaft, but the markers become shadowed or occluded when viewed from directly overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The marker plane is rotated from a parallel orientation to the shaft (conventional side-view configuration) to an angled or perpendicular orientation relative to the shaft (overhead-view configuration). This dimensional reorientation of the marker plane allows the overhead tracking system to view markers without shadowing or occlusion, resolving the contradiction between tracking accuracy and marker visibility.
2Measurement precision
If different marker assemblies are used for different medical instruments, then each instrument can be tracked accurately, but the system complexity increases and recalibration is required when instruments are exchanged
Solution Approach 1:
A universal connector design is implemented that can accommodate multiple medical instruments with different shaft diameters and configurations. The connector includes adjustable components (such as set screws and clamping mechanisms) that allow a single marker assembly to be securely attached to various instruments while maintaining consistent marker positioning relative to the instrument tip, eliminating the need for multiple specialized marker assemblies and recalibration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the marker assembly is securely attached to the instrument shaft, then tracking stability is improved, but the ability to quickly exchange instruments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable clamping mechanisms with set screws that can be quickly loosened and tightened, and spring-loaded components that provide secure attachment when engaged but allow rapid release. This dynamic design enables the marker assembly to be firmly attached during use for stable tracking, while allowing quick instrument exchange when needed during surgical procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and systems are provided for tracking a position and orientation of a handheld implement, such that the handheld implement may be trackable with an overhead tracking system. A support member secures one or more markers relative to a longitudinal portion of the handheld implement, and a marker plane containing the markers is orientated an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal portion. A marker assembly may include a support member for supporting the markers, and a connector for removably attaching the marker assembly to one or more handheld implements. The marker assembly may be configured to be removably attachable to a plurality of connection adapters, where each connection adapter is further connectable to a handheld implement, optionally at a calibrated position, such that a single connection adapter can be optionally employed to track a plurality of handheld implements. The handheld implement may be a medical instrument.