Low-Current Surgical Tracker for Cordless IR-LED Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation trackers using active infrared light emitting diodes (IR-LEDs) are cumbersome due to the weight of battery packs or power cords, which affect the instrument's center of gravity, potentially causing deformation or damage to delicate instruments, and require complex synchronization with navigation cameras.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight tracker with IR-LEDs powered by a wireless power reception device or a battery, limiting current to 15 mA or less, allowing for continuous or quasi-continuous operation without synchronization, and featuring an asymmetrical arrangement of LEDs for enhanced tracking accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a battery pack or power cord is used to power the IR-LEDs, then the tracker can generate light continuously, but the weight of the power source affects the center of gravity and may deform or damage delicate instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable batteries (e.g., coin cell batteries) as the power source for the tracker. These lightweight, single-use batteries eliminate the need for heavy rechargeable battery packs or power cords, significantly reducing the tracker's weight while providing sufficient operational duration for surgical procedures. The disposable nature ensures no complex recharging infrastructure is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pulsed operation of the IR-LEDs instead of continuous illumination. The LEDs are activated in periodic pulses synchronized with the camera's frame rate, reducing power consumption and extending battery life. This allows the use of lighter batteries while maintaining effective tracking functionality throughout the surgical procedure.
2Strength
If the tracker weight is reduced to avoid instrument deformation, then delicate instruments remain intact, but the tracker may require pulsed operation which increases synchronization complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetrical arrangement of IR-LEDs on the tracker body. This asymmetric configuration creates a unique light pattern that is easily distinguishable by the camera system, enabling accurate tracking without requiring complex synchronization protocols. The asymmetric LED layout serves as a natural identifier that simplifies the tracking algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker system is designed to be self-sufficient with integrated power management. The lightweight tracker with disposable batteries operates independently without requiring external power connections or complex synchronization infrastructure. The system automatically manages its own power consumption and operational timing.
3Ease of operation
If passive markers are used for tracking, then no power source is needed, but the markers are susceptible to contamination which impairs reflectivity and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive optical reflection markers with active infrared light-emitting diodes. This substitution transforms the tracking mechanism from passive light reflection to active light emission, ensuring consistent light output that is not affected by blood contamination or other surgical environmental factors. The IR-LEDs provide reliable, contamination-resistant tracking signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the IR-LEDs to operate at low current (15 mA or less), which reduces power consumption while maintaining sufficient brightness for accurate tracking. This parameter optimization allows the use of lightweight batteries while ensuring the tracker remains reliable and accurate throughout the surgical procedure.
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 solution reduces the weight and complexity of surgical navigation trackers, ensuring accurate tracking without deforming or damaging instruments, and eliminating the need for external power sources or synchronization, thus enhancing surgical precision and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical circuit comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED
Data Source
AI summary
A tracker for a surgical navigation system, a tracker system, and a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker comprises a carrier and an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier. The electrical circuit comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED, and a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, wherein the battery or the wireless power reception device is configured to provide power to operate the at least one IR-LED. The electrical circuit is configured to limit a current for at least one of the at least one IR-LED to not exceed 15 mA.