Medical Marker Rotation Detection via Axis Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical tracking systems face challenges in determining unintended rotations of marker devices about their mounts during surgeries, which can disrupt the fixed relative position between the marker device and the object, leading to potential inaccuracies in tracking.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method that involves acquiring initial and final position datasets of the marker device, calculating displacement, and determining the axis of rotation to assess if the marker device has rotated about its mount by comparing the axis of rotation to predefined thresholds, using marker detection devices and processing this information with a computer system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mount allows rotation adjustment to optimize surgical positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fixed relative position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the axis of rotation and compares it with the mechanical axis before surgery proceeds. This preliminary check ensures that any pre-existing misalignment or unintended rotation is identified and corrected before the surgical procedure begins, thereby maintaining both adjustability and positional stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of the marker device and provides feedback by comparing the detected axis of rotation with the mechanical axis. When unintended rotation is detected, the system generates a warning signal that feeds back to the surgeon, allowing real-time correction while maintaining the ability to adjust positioning
2Reliability
If the system continuously monitors marker device position to detect unintended rotation, then reliability of tracking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the critical information needed for rotation detection - specifically the axis of rotation and its comparison with the mechanical axis. By focusing solely on this essential parameter rather than monitoring all possible movement parameters, the system maintains high tracking reliability while minimizing computational complexity and processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a computational detection system that uses mathematical comparison of axes to detect rotation. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational simplicity allows for reliable tracking detection using straightforward linear algebra operations rather than complex mechanical sensors and actuators
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a data processing method for determining rotation by a marker device of a medical tracking system about its mount. The data processing method includes acquiring a first marker device position dataset which represents a position of the marker device before a movement of the marker device. A second marker device position dataset is acquired which represents the position of the marker device after a movement of the marker device. A marker device displacement dataset is calculated, which represents the displacement of the marker device, from the first and second marker device position datasets. At least one axis of rotation of the marker device displacement dataset is calculated. A determination is made whether or not the marker device is rotated about its mount from the position of the at least one axis of rotation relative to the marker device.