Visually Encoded Surgical Marker for Tracking Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-guided surgery systems using multiple generic markers suffer from inaccuracies, increased footprint, and poor ergonomic design due to the need for multiple markers to track objects, especially in motion tracking applications, where distinguishing and identifying markers in different orientations and conditions is challenging.
Innovation Solution
The use of visually encoded markers with unique patterns, such as different sized curved line segments, 2D barcodes, 3D protrusions, or color information, allows a single marker to provide sufficient information for tracking, reducing the need for multiple markers and improving accuracy by enabling the system to distinguish and track each marker uniquely, even in sub-optimal lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple generic markers are used for tracking, then the tracking coverage is improved, but the system accuracy deteriorates due to accumulated errors
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is segmented into multiple distinct functional components: a base structure for mounting, curved line segments for encoding identity and orientation information, and protrusions for 3D positional encoding. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific tracking function while working together to provide comprehensive tracking capability with a single marker.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker incorporates 3D protrusions that extend from the flat marker surface, adding a third dimension to the encoding capability. These protrusions create additional detectable features that enable the system to determine marker orientation and identity more accurately, transforming a 2D pattern recognition problem into a 3D spatial encoding solution.
2Reliability
If multiple generic markers are used for tracking, then the tracking robustness is improved, but the device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single marker is designed to perform multiple functions that traditionally required separate markers: identity identification through encoded patterns, orientation determination through asymmetric curved line segments, positional tracking through 3D protrusions, and rotational coverage through 360-degree visible features. This multi-functionality consolidates what would have been multiple markers into one compact unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple marker functions into a single integrated marker structure. The base, curved line segments, and protrusions are combined into one unified marker that provides identity, orientation, and position information simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate markers for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple generic markers are used for tracking, then the tracking versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker employs asymmetric curved line segments with different curvatures, lengths, and spacing arrangements that create a unique encoded pattern. This asymmetry enables the marker to provide orientation information and unique identification without requiring multiple symmetric markers, simplifying the overall system while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker includes pre-configured encoded patterns and 3D protrusion arrangements that are designed beforehand to provide all necessary tracking information. The curvature patterns and protrusion positions are predetermined to encode specific identity and orientation data, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations or multiple markers during tracking.
4Measurement precision
If visually encoded markers are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker utilizes visible light reflective patterns with different optical properties - the curved line segments and protrusions have contrasting reflectivity or color characteristics that make them easily distinguishable. This optical encoding allows the camera system to detect marker features and decode their patterns for precise identification and orientation determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker incorporates curved line segments with specific curvature radii and arc lengths that create distinctive detectable patterns. These curved features, combined with the 3D protrusions, provide geometric signatures that are easily recognizable by the detection system, enabling accurate marker identification and orientation measurement despite the increased encoding complexity.
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 enhances the accuracy and robustness of tracking systems by allowing single marker use, reducing system errors, and improving ergonomic design, while maintaining 360-degree rotational coverage and resistance to contaminants like fluids, thus improving workflow and tracking precision.
Implementation Method 1
a camera system for detecting visible light including at least one camera with a detector array for detecting light in a field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a position of an object such as a surgical tool in an image guidance system includes a camera system with a detection array for detecting visible light a processor arranged to analyze the output from the array. Each object to be detected carries a single marker with a pattern of contrasted areas of light and dark intersecting at a specific single feature point thereon. The pattern includes components arranged in an array around the specific location arranged such that the processor is able to detect an angle of rotation of the pattern around the location and which are different from other markers of the system such that the processor is able to distinguish each marker from the other markers.