Medical Instrument Navigation Control Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-guided surgery systems require clinicians to navigate complex three-dimensional views using non-sterile interface devices, such as keyboards or mice, which are often out of reach during procedures, leading to time-consuming and error-prone interactions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of navigation controls directly onto medical instruments, like dilation instruments, with features such as navigation wheels, control overlays, and proximity sensors, allowing clinicians to interact with image-guided surgery systems without leaving the sterile field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional non-sterile interface devices (keyboards, mice) are used for navigation, then the IGS system can be operated, but the clinician must leave the sterile field causing time loss and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates navigation controls directly onto the medical instrument handle, merging the navigation interface with the surgical tool. This allows the clinician to control the IGS system without leaving the sterile field or the instrument, eliminating the time loss and accessibility issues of separate interface devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that translates simple physical interactions (wheel rotation, button presses) into complex navigation commands. This intermediary layer allows intuitive control of the 3D navigation interface through simple mechanical inputs on the instrument handle.
2Reliability
If navigation controls are integrated onto the medical instrument, then the clinician can remain in the sterile field, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the instrument handle serve multiple functions: it remains the primary surgical tool while simultaneously housing navigation controls, power buttons, and communication interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and minimizes the actual increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin, flexible control overlay that can be applied to the instrument handle. This overlay contains the navigation controls and can be sterilized along with the instrument, adding minimal bulk or complexity while enabling sterile-field navigation control.
3Measurement precision
If complex 3D navigation interfaces are used, then precise navigation is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex graphical interface interactions (mouse clicking, keyboard typing) with simple mechanical controls (wheel rotation, button pressing). These mechanical inputs are translated by the system into precise navigation commands, maintaining accuracy while simplifying the user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maps 3D navigation movements to rotations of a physical wheel, adding a tactile dimension to the interface. Rotating the wheel in different directions corresponds to moving the navigation view in 3D space, making complex spatial navigation intuitive through physical sensation.
Data Source
AI summary
Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.