Disposable Surgical Navigation Frame with Rigid Marker Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical navigation systems face challenges in ensuring accurate alignment and reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission and mechanical failure of reusable reference frames, leading to potential misalignment and errors during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A disposable medical device with a frame member featuring a gooseneck bend and rigid mounting device, where marker elements are pre-attached and aligned to maintain consistent positioning, eliminating the need for recalibration and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reusable reference frames with mounting assembly structures are used, then the device can be sterilized and reused, but the mounting structures may become bent or skewed during marker element removal and attachment, introducing misalignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable reference frame that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for repeated sterilization and remounting of marker elements. This single-use approach prevents cumulative damage to mounting structures and ensures consistent alignment accuracy without the risks associated with reusability.
2Productivity
If marker elements are removed and replaced on reusable reference frames, then the reference frame can be reused, but there is a risk of breakage of mounting assembly structures and introduction of misalignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The reference frame is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after one use, eliminating the cumulative damage and structural fatigue that would result from repeated mounting and remounting of marker elements. This ensures structural integrity is maintained throughout the device's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker elements are pre-mounted on the reference frame during manufacturing with precise alignment, eliminating the need for subsequent removal and reattachment operations that could compromise structural integrity or introduce misalignment errors.
3Productivity
If reusable reference frames undergo sterilization processes, then the device can be reused, but there are concerns about total elimination of infectious diseases and possible contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The reference frame is designed as a single-use disposable device that is discarded after one surgical procedure, completely eliminating the risk of cross-contamination and infectious disease transmission between patients. No sterilization processes are required, ensuring absolute hygiene safety.
4Manufacturing precision
If marker elements are pre-attached and rigidly mounted on the frame, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker elements are pre-mounted on the reference frame during the manufacturing process with precise alignment, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mounting mechanisms. This preliminary assembly simplifies the device structure while ensuring high alignment accuracy during surgical use.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a frame member having an attachment location and a rigid mounting device disposed in the attachment location. The frame member comprises an upper straight portion connected to a lower straight portion via a bent portion, wherein the lower straight portion comprises a plurality of mounts each having a top surface. A centerline extending through the rigid mounting device is level with each of the top surfaces.