Two-part Medical Tracking Marker for Sterile Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical tracking marker systems are invasive, particularly problematic in pediatrics, and compromise sterility due to the need for draping, which complicates accurate tracking and localization.
Innovation Solution
A medical tracking marker system comprising two parts with interconnecting elements that allow for a positionally determined connection while maintaining sterility, using non-invasive fixation methods and accommodating the surgical drape, such as magnetic or frictional engagement, to ensure accurate tracking and localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If markers penetrate the drape or are arranged above it, then tracking is enabled, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The marker system is divided into two separate parts: a first marker part that remains below the drape (maintaining sterility) and a second marker part that extends above the drape (enabling tracking). The drape passes through a opening in the first marker part, allowing the second marker part to protrude while the first marker part remains sterile underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The drape itself serves as an intermediary element that passes through the opening of the first marker part. This allows the marker to maintain contact with the sterile field below the drape while extending above the drape for tracking purposes, effectively using the drape as a mediator between the sterile and non-sterile zones.
2Reliability
If individual markers or head rings are invasively fixed, then tracking stability is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The marker system separates the fixation function (first marker part below drape) from the tracking function (second marker part above drape). This allows non-invasive attachment methods to be used while maintaining stable tracking, as the two functions are performed by separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If markers are fixed below drapes, then sterility is maintained, but tracking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dually-functional marker is segmented into two parts: the first marker part remains below the drape to maintain sterility, while the second marker part extends above the drape to enable optical tracking. The opening in the first marker part allows the drape to pass through, connecting both functions.
4Measurement precision
If drapes are arranged around markers or markers penetrate drapes, then tracking is enabled, but sterility conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than arranging drapes around markers or having markers penetrate drapes, the invention segments the marker into two parts with the drape passing through an opening. This allows the marker to straddle the drape without compromising sterility or requiring complex drape arrangements.
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
The system provides accurate and robust tracking while maintaining sterility, suitable for pediatric procedures, by allowing the marker parts to connect without direct contact and accommodating the surgical drape, ensuring precise localization and tracking.
Implementation Method 1
One way of establishing such a connection is to use forces which act over a distance, in particular magnetic or electrostatic forces (or fields)
Implementation Method 2
The marker parts, when connected, may clamp the drape without penetrating it. One way of establishing such a connection is to use forces which act over a distance, in particular magnetic or electrostatic forces (or fields)
Implementation Method 3
providing a positionally determined connection between the parts which are 'separated' by the drape enables accurate tracking and localizing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical tracking marker (12) for localizing or tracking an object (10) by means of a medical tracking system (30), said marker comprising a first part (1) which is to be fixed on the object (10), and a second part (2) which is to be connected to the first part (1), wherein the first and second parts (1, 2) comprise interconnecting elements (4, 6) which are adapted to provide a positionally determined connection between the first part (1) and the second part (2) while the first part is located under a surgical drape (20) and the second part is located above said surgical drape (20), with the drape (20) placed between the two parts (1, 2). The invention also relates to a method of referencing an object (10) using a medical navigation system, wherein a medical tracking marker such as has been described above is localized or tracked by means of a medical tracking system (30), and wherein the object is registered by means of the first part (1) of the marker (12) in a preliminary referencing step, in particular for imaging purposes, which is later adapted to form a final referencing step for navigation using the second part (2) which has been placed on the first part in a positionally defined, pre-determined manner.