Asymmetric Surgical Tracking Marker With Adjustable Anchor Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation systems struggle to accurately create a 3D volume of patient anatomy in real-time using visually acquired position information and radiographic images, particularly due to the calibration challenges between camera and X-ray imaging systems, and the alignment of surgical instruments within CT image coordinates.
Innovation Solution
A reference marker system with a geometrically distinct shape and high-contrast texture, designed for detection by visible and non-visible light cameras, is secured to the patient's skin at user-selectable heights using an anchor mechanism, enabling precise tracking and alignment within the surgical environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric reference marker is used, then manufacturing is easier, but tracking accuracy from multiple angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reference marker employs an asymmetric geometric design where the marker body lacks symmetry relative to any two of the three coordinate axes. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the marker presents a unique profile from every viewing angle, enabling cameras to accurately determine the marker's orientation and position in three-dimensional space, thereby resolving the tracking accuracy issue while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding processes.
2Device complexity
If the reference marker is fixed at a single height, then the structure is simpler, but adaptability to different surgical needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reference marker system is divided into separate components: a marker body and an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes an anchor shaft with multiple attachment features at different heights, allowing the marker body to be positioned at various heights above the patient's skin. This segmentation enables height adjustment capability while keeping each individual component relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker system transitions from a fixed-height design to a dynamically adjustable height configuration. The anchor shaft provides multiple discrete height positions through its attachment features, and the marker body can be repositioned along the anchor shaft to accommodate different surgical requirements, thereby introducing adaptability without excessive complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reference marker has low contrast with tissue, then it is less invasive, but detection accuracy by cameras deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The marker body is constructed from materials with high-contrast optical properties that differ significantly from human tissue. These materials exhibit distinct color, luminance, or reflectance characteristics that make the marker highly visible to visible light and non-visible light cameras, ensuring accurate detection and tracking while minimizing the marker's visual impact on the surgical field.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for temporarily securing a reference marker on the skin of a patient or above the skin of a patient at user selectable heights during a surgical or diagnostic procedure comprises a reference marker, a surgical anchor and an adjustment key. The marker includes a marker body having an exterior profile within a three-dimensional space as measured along three axes, wherein the exterior profile of the marker body is not symmetric relative to any two of the three axes. The anchor includes an anchor shaft and a plurality of attachment features disposed along the anchor shaft between first and second ends thereof, wherein each respective attachment feature provides a point of attachment for the reference marker to the anchor shaft at a different respective length relative to one of the first or second ends. The adjustment key enables the reference marker to be secured at the desired height of the anchor shaft. Also disclosed is a reference marker having an adhesive on a surface thereof for securing directly to the skin of a patient.