Flexible Multi-Coil Sensor Layout for Skin-Shift Pose Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic tracking systems for surgical procedures, such as otorhinolaryngological procedures, face inaccuracies due to skin movement causing all coils to shift in tandem, leading to incorrect computation of the subject's pose.
Innovation Solution
A flexible multi-coil tracking sensor with variably disposed coils on a substrate, allowing relative poses to change with skin movement, generating alerts when shifts occur, and stopping surgery if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rigid multi-coil tracking sensors are used, then the coils maintain fixed relative positions for accurate tracking, but the sensor cannot adapt to skin movement causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a rigid sensor structure to a flexible one that can dynamically adapt to skin movements. The flexible substrate allows the sensor to change its configuration in response to skin deformation, maintaining tracking accuracy despite patient movement during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly implements this principle by using a flexible substrate to mount the coils. This flexible mounting allows the sensor to conform to and move with the skin surface, preventing measurement errors caused by relative motion between the rigid sensor and moving skin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible substrates are used to accommodate skin movement, then the sensor can adapt to body contours, but the relative coil positions change causing tracking inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different mechanical properties on the substrate. The wider portions provide stable coil mounting zones while the narrower portions provide flexibility for skin conforming. This localized differentiation allows the sensor to simultaneously achieve adaptability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is segmented into wider portions and narrower portions with different functional roles. The wider portions maintain coil positions while the narrower portions accommodate skin movement, allowing the sensor to both adapt to body contours and maintain tracking accuracy through functional segmentation.
3Device complexity
If multiple coils are mounted on a single rigid substrate, then the structure is simple and stable, but all coils shift in tandem during skin movement leading to incorrect pose computation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static rigid substrate into a dynamic flexible substrate that can adapt its shape to skin movements. This allows the sensor to maintain structural simplicity while eliminating the tandem shifting problem through its ability to conform to and move with the skin surface.
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
Ensures accurate tracking of the subject's pose by detecting skin movement and adjusting accordingly, preventing surgical inaccuracies.
Implementation Method 1
receiving respective signals that are induced, by a magnetic field, in a plurality of coils
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of substrates, configured to adhere to a body of a subject via respective pieces of adhesive material, and multiple coils coupled to the substrates, respectively. Other embodiments are also described.