Multicore Fiber Waveguide Tracking for Surgical Tool Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tracking technologies in computer-assisted orthopedic surgery, such as optical navigation and C-arm validation, face limitations including increased operative time, line-of-sight constraints, and cost inefficiencies, while robotic equipment can be bulky and obstructive.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an optical waveguide modeling system with multicore optical fibers attached to both surgical tools and patients, allowing for precise tracking by generating and registering waveguide models within a coordinate system, enabling accurate bone and tool positioning without the need for bulky equipment or line-of-sight dependencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical navigation is used for tracking, then tracking capability is provided, but operative time increases and line-of-sight constraints occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidoperative time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical navigation systems with a magnetic field-based tracking system. Magnetic sensors detect the position of a magnetic reference element attached to the surgical tool, enabling tracking without line-of-sight constraints and reducing operative time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic reference element as an intermediary between the surgical tool and the tracking system. This magnetic element serves as a mediator that can be detected by magnetic sensors through tissue, eliminating the need for direct optical line-of-sight and reducing tracking setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If C-arm validation is used for tracking, then tracking capability is provided, but equipment bulkiness and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidequipment bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the bulky mechanical C-arm validation system with a compact magnetic field-based tracking system. The magnetic sensors and reference element provide equivalent tracking accuracy without the large equipment footprint and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter used for tracking from mechanical/optical fields to magnetic fields. This parameter change enables the use of small, lightweight sensors instead of bulky C-arm equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If robotic equipment is used for intervention, then precision and accuracy are improved, but line-of-sight issues and equipment bulkiness occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidline-of-sight accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the bulky robotic equipment with a magnetic field-based tracking system that can operate without line-of-sight constraints. Magnetic sensors can detect the reference element through tissue and equipment, maintaining surgical precision while improving ease of operation in constrained anatomical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach provides millimeter-level accuracy and reduces operative complexity by allowing real-time monitoring of surgical tools and bones, enhancing precision and efficiency in orthopedic procedures without the constraints of traditional tracking methods.

Implementation Method 1

an optical waveguide modeling system having at least one multicore optical fiber with at least one portion attached to the surgical tool and at least one portion attached to the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS10292774B2Bone and tool tracking with optical waveguide modeling system in computer-assisted surgery using patient-attached multicore optical fiber

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 ZIMMER INC

AI summary

There is described a method for tracking a patient in a coordinate system of a surgical tool using an optical waveguide modeling system having one multicore optical fiber with a portion attached to the surgical tool and a portion attached to the patient. The method generally includes receiving a patient model representing a shape and orientation of at least one of a limb and a bone of the patient, generating a waveguide model representing a shape and orientation of the multicore optical fiber as attached to the surgical tool and to the patient, and tracking the patient model in the coordinate system by registering the patient model in the coordinate system using the waveguide model and known spatial relationships relating to the surgical tool, the portion of the multicore optical fiber attached to the surgical tool, and the portion of the multicore optical fiber attached to the patient.