Mobile Tracking System for Surgical Position Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems for determining and measuring the spatial position and orientation of bodies in medical and surgical applications are cumbersome and inflexible, often requiring a stationary setup which can hinder operations, especially in cramped spaces, and necessitate extensive equipment and computational efforts.
Innovation Solution
A mobile tracking system that can be moved and used temporarily, reducing the need for extensive setup and allowing for localized and phased measurements, equipped with lightweight and portable components, including a handle and optional wireless communication, to facilitate easy handling and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stationary tracking system is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome setup and limited flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is transformed from a stationary to a mobile configuration, allowing it to be repositioned during use. The system includes a mobile platform with wheels or tracks that enables it to move along with the surgical instrument or body part, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving ease of operation and adaptability to dynamic surgical environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can track various body parts and surgical instruments, adapt to different surgical scenarios, and be repositioned as needed. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing a single system that maintains precision across diverse applications without requiring multiple specialized stationary systems.
2Measurement precision
If a stationary tracking system is used, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability worsens due to fixed position limitations in cramped spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system's mobile platform enables it to dynamically reposition itself within the operating room, adapting to cramped spaces and different surgical angles. This dynamic capability allows the tracking system to maintain precision measurement while being adaptable to various spatial constraints that would limit a stationary system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system can be positioned locally at the specific area of interest within the operating field, rather than being fixed at a remote stationary location. This local positioning capability enhances adaptability to different surgical zones and spatial requirements while preserving measurement precision through maintained optical contact with tracking markers.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile tracking system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to movement and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile tracking system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust for movement and position changes. This feedback system compensates for the instability inherent in mobile operation, maintaining measurement precision while preserving the ease of operation benefits through automated correction of positional deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration and registration before use, establishing a reference frame that accounts for the mobile platform's characteristics. This preliminary setup compensates for potential measurement errors and ensures precision is maintained despite the mobile nature of the system during actual operation.
4Measurement precision
If extensive equipment is used for tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases leading to disruptive setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system merges multiple previously separate components into an integrated mobile platform. The optical tracking system, positioning mechanisms, and control systems are combined in a single unified mobile unit, reducing overall device complexity and eliminating the need for extensive separate equipment and complex setup procedures while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential tracking functionality is extracted from the complex stationary system and concentrated into a compact mobile platform. By taking out only the critical tracking components and eliminating unnecessary auxiliary equipment, the system achieves reduced complexity and simpler setup requirements while preserving the measurement precision through focused optical tracking capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
To further develop known tracking systems, particularly in the medical field, the invention proposes a device for the non-contact determination and measurement of a spatial position and/or spatial orientation of bodies using a tracking system by which the bodies are located and related to each other. The tracking system, or at least components or groups thereof, are mobile.