Bone Marker Polyhedron for Visible Arthroscopic Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical sites during arthroscopic procedures are often obscured by debris and tissue, which impedes the tracking of QR codes attached to medical instruments, leading to a loss of computer-assisted navigation.
Innovation Solution
A bone marker with a polyhedron and externally-threaded screw is used, featuring fiducial patterns on multiple surfaces and a flange to trap tissue, ensuring visibility of fiducial markers despite debris and tissue interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a QR code is attached to a medical instrument for tracking, then computer-assisted navigation is enabled, but the QR code becomes obscured by debris and tissue in the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional QR code on a flat surface to a three-dimensional polyhedral marker with fiducial patterns distributed across multiple faces. This dimensional change allows the marker to maintain visibility from various angles and depths within the surgical site, overcoming obscuration by debris and tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the marker: fiducial patterns are placed on specific outward-facing surfaces of the polyhedron that are most likely to remain visible, while other surfaces may have different characteristics. This localized optimization ensures tracking capability is maintained in the specific local conditions of the surgical site.
2Reliability
If fiducial patterns are placed on multiple surfaces of a polyhedron, then visibility is maintained despite obscuration, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the marker into a polyhedral structure with multiple discrete faces, each potentially bearing fiducial patterns. This segmentation allows different surfaces to serve different functions - some faces present fiducial patterns to the camera while others may be obscured, but the overall marker remains trackable through the visible faces.
3Reliability
If a flange is added to trap tissue, then fiducial pattern visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated marker structure: the polyhedral shape provides multi-surface fiducial placement, the externally-threaded screw provides self-tapping bone attachment, and the flange provides tissue compression. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Tracking objects in medical procedures. At least one example is a method comprising: retaining a bone marker on a distal end of an installation tool, the bone marker comprising a polyhedron having a fiducial pattern on each of at least three outward facing surfaces of the polyhedron, an externally-threaded screw extending distally from the polyhedron, and a flange proximate to an intersection of the polyhedron and the externally-threaded screw; positioning a distal end of the externally-threaded screw against a bone at a marker location; screwing the externally-threaded screw into the bone by way of the installation tool; and trapping tissue against the bone beneath the flange.