Markerless Surgical Aiming System with Hollow Channel Positioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infrared optical navigation systems face issues with fiducial marker positioning failures due to collision or contamination, and require invasive marker fixation, leading to poor compatibility with various surgical instruments and tools.
Innovation Solution
An aiming system comprising a positioner, an aimer, and a processor that acquires spatial information and provides alignment guidance without invasive markers, using a hollow channel and sensing devices to ensure accurate alignment and integration with surgical instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional infrared optical navigation systems use invasive fiducial markers, then positioning can be achieved, but positioning failure occurs due to collision displacement or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the invasive fiducial marker component from the navigation system, replacing it with a markerless optical tracking approach using the positioner's own sensing capabilities. This extraction eliminates the source of positioning failures while maintaining the core navigation function through direct visual tracking of anatomical landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a prompt signal as an intermediary visual cue that guides the positioner to the correct target location without requiring physical markers on the patient. The prompt signal acts as a virtual mediator between the navigation system and the anatomical target, enabling accurate positioning through visual guidance rather than physical attachment.
2Reliability
If traditional navigation tools use dedicated trackable markers, then navigation can be achieved, but compatibility with various surgical instruments is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal navigation system where the positioner with hollow channel and sensing devices can track and guide multiple different surgical instruments without requiring instrument-specific markers. The system achieves multi-functionality by using generic anatomical landmark tracking that works with any instrument entering through the hollow channel, eliminating the need for dedicated trackable markers for each tool.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching markers to instruments to enable tracking, the patent inverts the approach by having the navigation system track anatomical landmarks and provide visual prompts that guide instruments to targets. This inversion removes the requirement for instrument modification while maintaining navigation capability.
3Measurement precision
If invasive fiducial markers are fixed on the patient, then positioning can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the entire marker fixation procedure from the surgical workflow, replacing it with a markerless optical tracking system. This removal simplifies the procedure by eliminating the steps of marker selection, attachment, and verification while maintaining positioning accuracy through direct visual tracking of anatomical features.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system performs self-positioning by using its own sensing devices to detect anatomical landmarks and generate prompt signals, eliminating the need for external marker fixation. The system serves itself by autonomously establishing the coordinate system and tracking references through visual inspection rather than requiring pre-fixed markers.
4Reliability
If traditional navigation systems use multiple dedicated markers, then tracking can be achieved, but the system becomes less intuitive and more difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex system of multiple dedicated trackable markers and replaces it with a single integrated positioner that provides visual prompts directly in the surgeon's field of view. This extraction simplifies operation by eliminating the need to locate and track multiple separate markers, making the system more intuitive and easier to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The prompt signal serves as an intuitive intermediary that directly guides the surgeon's hand and instrument to the target location through visual feedback. This intermediary provides immediate directional guidance without requiring the surgeon to mentally process multiple marker positions, significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An aiming system includes a positioner, an aiming device, and a processor. The positioner has a function of acquiring spatial information, and the aiming device is connected to the positioner, and the processor is connected to the positioner or the aiming device. A method of using the aiming system is also provided. Surgical guidance is more intuitive by directly combining the positioner with the aiming device.