Asymmetrical Fiducial Marker Frame for Stable Surgical AR Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tracking systems for surgical procedures face limitations in accurately generating and applying virtual interactions in augmented reality environments due to unstable or unreliable positioning of fiducial markers, which can affect the overall performance of surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of surgical fiducial marker positioners, which include a rigid frame and a positioner coupling component, the rigid frame can support a plurality of surgical fiducial markers at fixed positions relative to each other along the rigid frame to form a fixed positional arrangement of surgical fiducial markers, which can be asymmetrical, and the positioner coupling component can couple the surgical fiducial marker positioner to a separate surgical component at a first fixed position relative to the separate surgical component, which can be a spinous process clamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tracking systems use fiducial markers during surgery, then augmented reality tracking can be implemented, but the positioning of fiducial markers becomes unstable or unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the fiducial marker positioner's orientation and position relative to the surgical component through the positioner coupling component, enabling the markers to be optimally positioned for tracking while maintaining a stable relationship to the surgical site. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different surgical scenarios while maintaining reliability through the rigid frame's fixed marker arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If fiducial markers are positioned flexibly during surgery, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning accuracy and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the positioning function into two independent parts: the rigid frame with fixed marker positions (ensuring accuracy) and the positioner coupling component (providing flexibility). This segmentation allows the markers to be precisely positioned relative to each other while the entire assembly can be flexibly positioned and oriented relative to the surgical component, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a rigid fixed arrangement of fiducial markers is used, then tracking accuracy is improved, but adaptability to different surgical configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner coupling component provides multi-functionality by enabling the rigid frame with fixed markers to be coupled to different surgical components and positioned in various orientations. This universal coupling mechanism allows the same accurate marker arrangement to be adapted to different surgical configurations and procedures, resolving the contradiction between tracking accuracy and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fiducial marker positioner can include a rigid frame and a positioner coupling component. The rigid frame can support a plurality of surgical fiducial markers at fixed positions relative to each other along the rigid frame to form a fixed positional arrangement of surgical fiducial markers. The rigid frame can define a polygon arranged along a plane and the fixed positional arrangement of surgical fiducial markers can be asymmetrical. The positioner coupling component can be coupled to the rigid frame and can be configured to couple the surgical fiducial marker positioner to a separate surgical component at fixed position(s) relative to the separate surgical component, which can be a spinous process clamp. The surgical fiducial marker positioner can also include the surgical fiducial markers and fiducial marker couplers that removably couple the surgical fiducial markers to the rigid frame at the fixed positions.