Multi-face Optical Tracking Tool for Surgical Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical tracking systems for surgery have limited tracking range and accuracy due to the use of tracking tools with small positioning faces and angle-dependent coordinate accuracy, which restricts the effectiveness of surgical navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical tracking tool with two to six supporting faces, each equipped with two to four reflective balls forming quadrilateral positioning faces with varying angles between them, allowing for improved tracking range and precision through a secure connection structure using hemispherical reflective balls and a seal rubber ring, and an interface for surgical tools or robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tracking tool with a single positioning face and coplanar reflective balls is used, then the structure is simple, but the tracking range is limited (less than ±90°) and positioning accuracy deteriorates at larger angles
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking tool is divided into multiple positioning faces (at least two) with different orientations, each capable of being positioned within the effective tracking range. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high positioning accuracy across a broader range of angles by switching between different faces as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single two-dimensional positioning face to multiple positioning faces with different spatial orientations. By adding the dimension of multiple faces with varying normal vector angles (90°-140°), the system expands its effective tracking range while maintaining positioning accuracy through appropriate face selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angle between the positioning face and optical axis increases, then the tracking range is expanded, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which positioning face to use based on the current angle between the tracking tool and optical axis. When the angle is small, one positioning face is used; when the angle increases, the system switches to another positioning face with a different normal vector orientation, ensuring that the active face always operates within the optimal accuracy range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of positioning face orientation by providing multiple faces with different normal vector angles (90°-140°). This allows the system to adapt to different angular positions by selecting the appropriate face, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across a wider tracking range.
3Measurement precision
If reflective balls are mounted on multiple supporting faces with different orientations, then the tracking range and positioning accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioning faces share common reflective balls and mounting structures, allowing each face to serve multiple functions. The same reflective balls can be used across different positioning faces, and the mounting base structure supports multiple faces, reducing the overall complexity compared to having completely separate structures for each face.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple positioning faces into a single integrated tracking tool body, with shared mounting structures and reflective balls. This combination approach achieves improved tracking range and accuracy while controlling complexity through structural integration rather than separate components.
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 solution significantly expands the tracking range and enhances accuracy, ensuring precise positioning and connection of reflective balls, thereby improving the overall performance of surgical navigation systems, especially in clinical settings with surgical robots.
Implementation Method 1
a small ball (also called a reflective ball or lens) on the tracking tool, capable of reflecting infrared light, can reflect the infrared light back to the position sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an optical tracking tool for navigating a surgery, comprising a mounting base (1). The mounting base (1) is provided with two to six supporting faces (2) thereon. Two or four reflective balls (3) are arranged on each of the supporting faces (2). A positioning surface (5) is formed by the four reflective balls (3) located on the same supporting face (2) or the four reflective balls (3) respectively located on two adjacent supporting faces (2). An included angle between surface normal vectors of two adjacent positioning surfaces (5) is 90°-140°. As compared with a tracking tool having a single positioning surface formed by four reflective balls in the prior art, the optical tracking tool can considerably broaden an effective tracking range of a system, thereby improving system accuracy.