Implant-Integrated Tracking Array for Surgical Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical tracking systems require additional incisions and radiation exposure to monitor the location of surveillance markers, which complicates navigated and robotic surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A system that affixes a tracking array (surveillance marker) to an implant, such as a pedicle screw or cage, allowing real-time monitoring of the marker's location without additional incisions or radiation exposure, using a stereoscopic camera and processor to determine the locational relationship with a patient reference marker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate incision is made to insert a surveillance marker, then the marker location can be monitored, but the surgical complexity and patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker location monitoringVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance marker is integrated with the surgical implant as a single unified component. The marker is positioned within the implant structure itself, eliminating the need for separate marker insertion procedures. This merging of functions allows location monitoring to be achieved without additional incisions or procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If additional imaging is used to monitor marker location, then real-time tracking is achieved, but radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time location trackingVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces radiation-based imaging methods with optical detection. The surveillance marker contains reflective elements that bounce back infrared or visible light from a camera, substituting the mechanical/radiation-based imaging system with an optical field-based system. This eliminates radiation exposure while maintaining real-time tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a surveillance marker is used without integration to the implant, then the marker can be monitored, but the locational relationship verification becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker location detectionVSAvoidlocational relationship verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance marker is structurally integrated with the implant, creating a fixed and predictable spatial relationship between the two. This integration eliminates the need for complex verification algorithms, as the marker's position relative to the implant is inherently stable and can be directly referenced during surgical navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250072975A1Real-time tracking and monitoring of arrays for verification

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 MEDOS INT SARL

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for real-time tracking and monitoring of arrays and bones during a surgical procedure. For example, a tracking array (e.g., a surveillance marker) may be affixed to an implant to be inserted in a patient. The implant may be, for example, a pedicle screw or a cage. Affixing the tracking array to the implant may allow the surgeon to monitor the patient array location without an additional incision and/or a second imaging (e.g., additional patient radiation exposure).