Articulated Surgical Navigation Reference Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical navigation systems face limitations in positioning and orientation due to structural design constraints, leading to labor-intensive and insecure draping procedures, which compromise sterility and require frequent recalibration during image-guided surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A referencing device with a marker carrier unit featuring articulated arms and joints, including ball and socket joints, that provides increased mobility and secure attachment mechanisms, allowing for easy sterilization and re-attachment of marker elements without recalibration, ensuring a sterile environment and consistent positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional referencing devices with fixed reference frames are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the positioning and orientation flexibility is limited due to structural design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The referencing device is divided into separate components: a reference frame with marker elements and a fixation unit with articulation mechanisms. This segmentation allows the fixation unit to provide flexible positioning while the reference frame maintains its simple structure for easy manufacturing and sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation unit incorporates articulation mechanisms including ball-and-socket joints and rotary joints that enable dynamic adjustment of the reference frame's position and orientation. These joints provide multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the device to adapt to various anatomical locations and surgical requirements while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized mechanical components.
2Ease of manufacture
If marker elements are removably attached to reference frames, then sterilization is easier and disposable marker elements can be used, but the attachment and detachment process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The marker elements are pre-sterilized and packaged as disposable components, while the reference frame can be sterilized in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming sterilization processes during surgery and allows for rapid attachment to the fixation unit, reducing overall setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker elements are designed as disposable, sterile components that are replaced for each surgical procedure. This approach eliminates the need for complex re-sterilization processes and ensures consistent performance, while the fixation unit and reference frame structure remain reusable after appropriate sterilization.
3Measurement precision
If frequent recalibration is required during surgery, then positioning precision can be maintained, but surgical efficiency is reduced and sterility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation unit incorporates self-adjusting articulation mechanisms that automatically maintain proper positioning and orientation of the reference frame throughout the surgical procedure. The ball-and-socket joints and locking mechanisms provide stable, calibrated positioning without requiring frequent manual recalibration, thereby maintaining surgical efficiency and sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system continuously monitors the position and orientation of the reference frame through the marker elements, providing real-time feedback to ensure positioning precision is maintained throughout the procedure without requiring interruptive recalibration steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and method for a surgical navigation system comprising a connection unit (126), a marker carrier unit (116) removably attached to the connection unit (126), an attachment unit (132) connected to the connection unit (126) for fixing the device to a body part of a patient. The connection unit (126) comprises an articulated arm (128) and the marker carrier unit (116) comprises an attachment area (404) for removably attaching the marker carrier element (116) to the connection unit (126).