Impact Absorber for Surgical Reference Array Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer-assisted surgery systems face calibration issues due to the susceptibility of patient reference arrays to external forces, leading to potential loss of calibration and damage to bones when rigidly affixed, resulting in time delays and errors.
Innovation Solution
An impact absorber system that couples the patient reference array to a medical implant, allowing the array to deflect relative to the implant without moving the implant itself, and automatically realigning when the force is removed, thereby maintaining calibration without the need for recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the patient reference array is rigidly affixed to the patient, then the calibration stability is improved, but the risk of bone damage and time delays increases when external forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the reference array and the medical implant, connected through a decoupling mechanism. This allows the reference array to move independently from the implant when external forces are applied, preventing force transmission to the bone while maintaining calibration through automatic realignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling mechanism includes features such as flexible connections, shock-absorbing elements, or movable joints that are designed in advance to absorb and dissipate external forces before they can damage the bone or disrupt calibration. These cushioning features allow the reference array to deflect safely while maintaining its functional relationship to the implant.
2Measurement precision
If the patient reference array is rigidly affixed to the patient, then the tracking accuracy is improved, but the system loses calibration when external forces cause displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling mechanism incorporates automatic realignment features such as self-centering springs, gravity-dependent positioning, or elastic recovery elements that enable the reference array to return to its calibrated position automatically after being displaced by external forces, without requiring manual intervention or recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes detection mechanisms that monitor the position of the reference array relative to the implant and provide feedback to control elements that actively adjust the array's position to maintain calibration. This closed-loop control ensures tracking accuracy is preserved even when external forces are applied.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the patient reference array is rigidly affixed to the patient, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases to prevent bone damage
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling mechanism utilizes flexible connections such as elastic elements, flexible membranes, or compliant joints that provide both mechanical coupling and shock absorption. These flexible components maintain structural stability while allowing controlled movement to absorb external forces, avoiding the need for complex active protection systems.
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
The impact absorber system effectively absorbs external forces, preventing calibration loss and reducing the risk of bone damage, while ensuring accurate and reliable tracking of surgical instruments during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a body configured to support a reference array of a computer-assisted surgery system... when an external force is applied to the reference array
Implementation Method 2
The reference array is rotatable with the body at least partially about the shaft from an undeflected orientation to a deflected orientation when an external force is applied to the reference array and from the deflected orientation to the undeflected orientation when the external force is removed
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an impact absorber attaches a reference array of a computer-assisted surgery system to a medical implant. The impact absorber has a coupler that couples the reference array to the implant such that the reference array is rotatable relative to the implant from an undeflected orientation to a deflected orientation when an external impacting force is applied to the reference array, and from the deflected orientation to the undeflected orientation when the external force is removed. The impact absorber has an alignment feature that 1) engages with a corresponding alignment feature so as to align the reference array with the undeflected orientation and 2) disengages from the corresponding alignment feature when the reference array is rotated from the undeflected orientation to the deflected orientation. Allowing the reference array to be returned to the undeflected orientation after it is impacted can avoid a need to recalibrate the system.