Reusable Magnetic Tracking Electronics in a Sterile Disposable Hull
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical instruments with wireless components are not suitable for steam sterilization and are too expensive for disposable use, limiting their reusability and increasing the cost of magnetic tracking systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising reusable, non-sterile electronics units encapsulated in a sterile, disposable hull, with magnetometer sensors, a sensor interface unit, and wireless communication module, and a sensor interface unit, which can be connected to a computing unit via electric contacts, allowing for hermetic sealing and reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless components are used in medical instruments for magnetic tracking, then tracking functionality is enabled, but the instruments cannot be steam sterilized and become too expensive for disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate segments: a reusable electronics unit containing the magnetometer sensor and wireless communication module, and a disposable sterile hull that provides sterilization compatibility. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the electronics unit can be reused after sterilization while the hull ensures sterility for single-use applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sterile hull as an intermediary component between the non-sterile electronics unit and the sterile medical environment. The hull acts as a barrier that allows the electronics unit to function wirelessly while maintaining sterility, enabling both sterilization compatibility and reusability simultaneously
2Reliability
If disposable instruments with wireless components are used, then sterility is ensured, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a discard-and-recover strategy where only the sterile hull is discarded after single use, while the expensive electronics unit containing the magnetometer sensor is recovered and reused. This selective discarding approach maintains sterility for each use while recovering valuable components to reduce overall system cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the disposable principle selectively - only the sterile hull is made disposable and inexpensive, while the electronics unit is designed for reuse. This selective disposability ensures sterility where needed while avoiding the high cost of making entire wireless tracking instruments disposable
3Loss of substance
If reusable electronics units are used without sterile encapsulation, then cost is reduced, but sterility cannot be maintained in the sterile field
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile hull acts as a flexible barrier shell that encapsulates the reusable electronics unit. This thin-film enclosure maintains sterility by preventing contamination while allowing the electronics unit to function wirelessly inside the sterile environment, enabling both cost reduction through reuse and sterility maintenance
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
Enables cost-effective magnetic tracking by allowing reusable electronics units to be sterilized and reused, maintaining sterility and reducing waste, while supporting various types of receiving elements and medical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor output is typically transferred to a computing unit which calculates the position of the medical instrument... Each of the at least one internal magnetometer sensors is located at a predetermined position inside the electronics unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed system comprises re-usable electronic components for magnetic tracking which are non-sterile, but encapsulated in a sterile, disposable hull. The hull can be a medical instrument or a separate entity which is mechanically connectable to a medical instrument.