Inertial Surgical Navigation with Magnetic Drift Zeroing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical navigation technologies, such as fluoroscopic guidance, ultrasound imaging, and advanced imaging modalities like CT and MRI, face limitations including radiation exposure, operator dependence, limited soft tissue contrast, complexity in integrating preoperative imaging with real-time tracking, and require costly and bulky equipment, which can disrupt procedures and prolong duration.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system utilizing an inertial measurement unit with a magnetometer and a controlling unit that automatically zero-outs sensor drift using a stationary artificial magnetic field, enabling precise navigation of medical devices by integrating inertial and magnetic signals for real-time tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscopic guidance is used to track device position, then real-time imaging information is provided, but ionizing radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice position tracking accuracyVSAvoidionizing radiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging (electromagnetic radiation-based) with an inertial measurement system using accelerometers and gyroscopes to track device position mechanically/sensor-based, eliminating ionizing radiation exposure while maintaining real-time tracking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field markers and electromagnetic sensors as intermediaries to enable position tracking without direct radiation exposure to the patient, allowing the surgical team to monitor device location through magnetic field interactions rather than fluoroscopic imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If CT or MRI imaging is used for surgical navigation, then detailed three-dimensional anatomical images are provided, but the procedure time increases and equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical structure visualization qualityVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary registration by attaching markers to anatomical landmarks before the surgical procedure begins, allowing the navigation system to be pre-configured with anatomical references, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming intraoperative CT or MRI scans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical device itself is equipped with inertial measurement units and magnetic sensors that autonomously track its own position and orientation in real-time, eliminating the need for external imaging equipment and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If external electromagnetic tracking systems are used, then device position can be monitored, but metal objects in the surgical field can disrupt or corrupt the tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice position monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtracking stability in presence of metal

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magnetic field markers as intermediaries that can penetrate through metal objects without interference, allowing the inertial measurement system to maintain accurate tracking even in the presence of surgical metal instruments or implants by using magnetic field interactions that are not disrupted by metal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides precise, radiation-free, and efficient navigation of medical devices with minimal setup time and equipment requirements, enhancing surgical accuracy and reducing procedural duration.

Implementation Method 1

an inertial measurement unit supported by the device body. The inertial measurement unit is configured to produce an inertial signal as a function of the movement of the device body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

The controlling unit also uses a detected stationary artificial magnetic field at a prescribed location to determine information relating to the prescribed location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250352275A1Medical device navigation tracking

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 OCEAN ORTHOPEDICS INC

AI summary

A surgical system has a device and an inertial measurement unit supported by the device body. Accordingly, the inertial measurement unit is configured to produce an inertial signal as a function of the movement of the device body. The system further has a controlling unit configured to determine the location of at least a portion of the movable device body as a function of the inertial signal. The controlling unit (e.g., in the sterile field) also uses a detected stationary artificial magnetic field at a prescribed location to determine information relating to the prescribed location. Importantly, the controlling unit also is configured to automatically zero-out the inertial measurement unit during use as a function of the information relating to the prescribed location. The controlling unit also has an output to transmit a position signal having positional information relating to the movable device body.