Markerless Surgical Navigation Using Topographic Surface Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems require rigidly fixed markers on patient anatomy, leading to inefficiencies in registration and calibration processes, occupying valuable operating room space, and consuming time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize naturally occurring topographically distinct regions or small topographically encoded markers on the patient, allowing for marker-less navigation and real-time tracking of objects relative to the body, reducing the need for rigid fixation and enabling compact system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rigidly fixed markers are used on patient anatomy for surgical navigation, then tracking accuracy is improved, but registration and calibration time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from rigid fixed markers and implements it through a portable sensor that can be moved freely. The sensor captures images of topographically distinct regions directly, eliminating the need for rigid marker fixation while maintaining tracking capability throughout the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and tracking of topographically distinct regions on the patient's body before surgery begins. This preliminary action establishes the coordinate system and enables real-time tracking without requiring time-consuming registration and calibration procedures during the actual surgery.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigidly fixed markers and large navigation systems are used, then tracking stability is improved, but operating room space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static rigid fixed markers to a dynamic portable sensor system. The sensor can be freely positioned and moved throughout the operating room, adapting to different surgical scenarios without requiring permanent installation or occupying fixed space, thus maintaining tracking stability while reducing space requirements.
3Device complexity
If manual registration and calibration procedures are used, then system setup is simplified, but surgical productivity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic identification and tracking of topographically distinct regions without requiring manual intervention for registration and calibration. The portable sensor autonomously captures images and processes them to establish the coordinate system, eliminating time-consuming manual procedures and improving surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical registration procedures with an automated image-based system. The portable sensor captures visual information of topographically distinct regions, and the system automatically processes this data to establish tracking coordinates, substituting manual operations with automated computational methods.
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
This approach reduces the time and space required for surgical navigation, automates many preparation steps, and provides accurate, real-time tracking of objects relative to the body, enhancing surgical efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
measuring by said sensor the three-dimensional surface of said body
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for tracking an object with respect to a body comprising the steps of: providing a three-dimensional model of said body;, providing a three- dimensional model of said object; and tracking the position of said object in said three-dimensional model of said body on the basis of a sensor measuring repeatedly a three-dimensional surface of said body and said object.