Moiré Marker Device for Medical Navigation Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical navigation marker devices lack the necessary tracking accuracy for precise instrument tracking in navigated medical procedures, which is crucial for the success of these procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical navigation marker device featuring a light reflector with a marker pattern that includes a moiré pattern pointing in multiple spatial directions and a visual code, allowing for reliable tracking and orientation information integration, enabling high accuracy and easy identification by navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-directional marker pattern is used, then the device structure is simple, but the tracking accuracy and orientation information are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The marker pattern is designed to extend in multiple spatial directions rather than a single direction, adding dimensional information to the marker. This allows the marker to provide both positional and orientational data simultaneously, improving tracking accuracy without requiring multiple separate markers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines tracking functionality and orientation information into a single integrated marker pattern. The moiré pattern serves dual purposes: enabling precise tracking while simultaneously encoding directional/orientation information, thus merging multiple functions into one device element
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate marker elements are used to provide orientation information, then the tracking accuracy improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple functional elements (tracking markers and orientation indicators) into a single manufactured component. The marker pattern is applied as one unified structure on the light reflector, eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate marker elements, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The single marker pattern performs multiple functions: it provides tracking data, orientation information, and face identification all simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, making the device easier to manufacture while achieving comprehensive measurement capabilities
3Measurement precision
If a complex multi-faceted marker structure is used, then the tracking accuracy and orientation information improve, but the ease of operation and identification decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the marker pattern are designed with distinct characteristics: the moiré pattern provides high-precision tracking data, while specific areas contain face identification patterns for easy recognition. This local differentiation allows the navigation system to efficiently extract both precise localization and orientation information without confusion
Solution Approach 2:
The marker utilizes optical property changes (reflectivity patterns) to encode different types of information. The light reflector with its specific marker pattern creates distinct optical signatures that enable the navigation system to quickly identify marker faces and extract orientation information through optical detection
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 device provides enhanced tracking accuracy and orientation information, allowing for precise localization and integration with navigation systems, improving the reliability of medical procedures by providing a single, easy-to-manufacture, and non-obstructive marker element.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a light reflector which features a marker pattern
Implementation Method 2
the marker pattern comprises at least one moiré pattern which points in more than one spatial direction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical navigation marker device (1; 2; 3) comprising a light reflector, characterised in that the reflector features a marker pattern (11, 12, 13; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 27, 28; 34, 37; 35, 37) having the following features:—the marker pattern (11, 12, 13; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 27, 28; 34, 37; 35, 37) points in more than one spatial direction; —the marker pattern (11, 12, 13; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 27, 28; 34, 37; 35, 37) comprises at least one moire pattern (11, 12, 13; 27; 37) which points in more than one spatial direction; and—the marker pattern (11, 12, 13; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 27, 28; 34, 37; 35, 37) comprises a face identification pattern (14, 15, 16; 25, 26; 34; 35) which identifies the face of the marker being viewed from a particular spatial direction. The invention also relates to a combination of a medical marker device (1; 2; 3) and a medical navigation system (43) which uses the marker device (1; 2; 3) as a spatial position and/or orientation marker, and to the use of a medical marker device (1; 2; 3) for providing guidance to a user of a medical navigation system (43) by evaluating the spatial position and/or orientation information provided by the marker device.