Distance-Based LED Power Modulation for Surgical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems in computer-aided surgery face challenges in maintaining constant flux at tracking sensors while reducing power consumption and extending the lifespan of LEDs used for positional tracking, which are prone to degradation due to high drive currents.
Innovation Solution
A system that modulates the drive current of LEDs based on their distance from a tracking sensor, reducing current for LEDs closer to the sensor and increasing it for those farther away, maintaining constant flux and reducing power consumption and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high drive current is applied to LEDs in tracking array, then brightness and tracking signal strength are improved, but LED lifespan is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic drive current modulation where the current supplied to each LED is continuously adjusted based on its real-time distance from the tracking sensor. LEDs closer to the sensor receive lower current while those farther away receive higher current, optimizing both brightness and lifespan. This is achieved through a control system that calculates distances and modulates current in real-time during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different drive current levels to individual LEDs based on their specific spatial positions relative to the tracking sensor. Each LED receives a customized current level tailored to its local conditions (distance from sensor), rather than applying a uniform current to all LEDs. This local optimization ensures each LED operates at the minimum necessary brightness level.
2Reliability
If high drive current is applied to LEDs in tracking array, then tracking signal strength is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts drive current to each LED based on its distance from the tracking sensor, ensuring sufficient signal strength is maintained only where necessary. This real-time modulation reduces overall power consumption while preserving tracking reliability by applying higher current only to distant LEDs that require stronger signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the drive current parameter for each LED based on its spatial position and distance from the sensor. By modifying this electrical parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant high current, the system achieves reliable tracking with reduced power consumption.
3Illumination intensity
If high drive current is applied to LEDs in tracking array, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current modulation that adjusts LED operating current based on distance requirements. By reducing current to LEDs that don't require maximum brightness, the system minimizes heat generation while maintaining necessary illumination intensity for tracking purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical current parameter for each LED based on its specific operational needs determined by distance from the sensor. This parameter optimization reduces unnecessary energy conversion to heat while maintaining adequate light output.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach extends the lifespan of LEDs, reduces power consumption, and minimizes light scatter artifacts, thereby lowering the cost of ownership and maintenance of computer-aided surgery systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each marker includes a corresponding plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
a tracking sensor, and a position determination logic block coupled to the tracking sensor... the position determination logic block is configured to provide the position of the robotic device to the robotic device controller based, at least in part, on a plurality of stored observations by the tracking sensor of light emitted by the tracking array
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking array tracking system includes a tracking sensor, a position determination logic block coupled to the tracking sensor, and a robotic device controller coupled to the position determination logic block, a tracking array including a plurality of light sources, and a power module coupled to the tracking array, the power module including one or more variable current sources, and the robotic device controller is communicatively coupled to the power module. Together, the tracking sensor, position determination logic block, and robotic device controller, determine changes in distance of the light sources from the tracking sensor and command the power module to increase or decrease the drive current to a light source if the light source has moved away from, or closer to, the tracking sensor, respectively.