Flexible Reference Tie for Spinal Navigation Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in accurately tracking and stabilizing reference points on the spine during procedures, particularly due to the need for invasive methods and difficulty in securing reference markers on irregularly shaped vertebrae, which can lead to inaccurate navigation and increased invasiveness.
Innovation Solution
A flexible reference tie with an elongate strap and fastener, equipped with a fiducial marker, that can be securely wrapped around the spine, providing a stable and trackable reference point for surgical navigation systems, allowing for precise tracking and minimizing tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional reference markers are used on the spine, then surgical navigation tracking is enabled, but the methods are invasive and difficult to secure on irregularly shaped vertebrae
Solution Approach 1:
The reference marker uses a flexible strap that can be wrapped around the spine rather than rigid markers that require invasive attachment. The flexible material conforms to the irregular shapes of vertebrae and spinous processes, enabling secure placement without drilling or penetrating bone tissue, thus reducing invasiveness while maintaining tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The reference marker transitions from static rigid markers to a dynamic flexible strap system that can adapt its shape to accommodate different vertebral geometries. This dynamic adaptability allows the same flexible reference marker design to be used across various spinal regions with different curvatures and shapes
2Reliability
If rigid reference markers are used to ensure stability, then tracking reliability is improved, but the ability to adapt to irregular bone shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strap material provides both adaptability to irregular vertebral shapes and tracking stability through its ability to conform closely to the bone surface. The flexibility allows the strap to wrap securely around different anatomical structures while the fastening mechanism maintains stable positioning for reliable optical tracking throughout the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strap is designed to conform to the curved surfaces of vertebrae and spinous processes. By adapting to the natural curvatures of spinal anatomy rather than imposing rigid geometric forms, the reference marker achieves both stability on irregular surfaces and compatibility with diverse vertebral geometries
3Manufacturing precision
If invasive methods are used to secure reference markers, then positioning accuracy is improved, but tissue disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strap reference marker achieves precise positioning on the spine without requiring invasive attachment methods. The strap can be securely fastened around external anatomical landmarks such as spinous processes using non-penetrating fasteners, eliminating the need for drilling, screwing, or otherwise disrupting bone or soft tissue while maintaining accurate and stable reference point positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strap acts as an intermediary between the surgical navigation system and the spine, providing a stable reference point without direct invasive contact with bone tissue. Instead of attaching markers directly to the vertebrae, the strap wraps around external anatomical structures, mediating the connection in a way that preserves tissue integrity while enabling precise tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A reference tie to be secured around a portion of a spine during a surgical procedure and to be tracked by a surgical navigation system is described. The reference tie includes an elongate strap having a first strap end and a second strap end. The reference tie also includes a fastener joined to the elongate strap at the first strap end, the fastener for securing the first strap end to a portion of the second strap end. The elongate strap is configured to form a secured loop around the portion of the spine. The reference tie also includes a fiducial marker joined to at least one of the elongate strap or the fastener. The fiducial marker is trackable by the surgical navigation system.