Navigation System Positioning via Marker Detectability Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems in medical technology face challenges in determining the precise position of robots and objects due to partial concealment of position markers, leading to reduced position determination quality, especially in optical navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving computer simulation to model detection apparatus, robots, and objects with markers, simulating various positions to assess detectability quality and adjust for optimal positioning, allowing for precise determination of robot and object positions relative to the detection apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position markers are placed on the robot and object for detection, then the navigation system can determine positions, but the markers may be partially concealed leading to reduced position determination quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the detection process by capturing multiple images of position markers at different time points. This allows the system to overcome spatial occlusion by detecting markers that are visible at different moments, thereby maintaining high position determination quality even when markers are partially concealed in any single view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of position markers by capturing multiple images before final position calculation. This preliminary action of collecting temporal data ensures that even if some markers are concealed at the moment of measurement, their positions can be reconstructed from previous or subsequent frames, preventing concealment from degrading overall measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured at different time points to improve marker detectability, then position determination quality improves, but the time required for position determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a plurality of images but does not necessarily process all of them equally. It selectively uses the subset of images that provide sufficient marker detectability for accurate position determination. This partial action approach avoids the time penalty of processing excessive redundant images while still achieving improved marker detectability through temporal sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit automatically assesses the quality of marker detectability in each captured image and self-selects which images are suitable for position determination. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual review or complex external processing, reducing the time overhead while maintaining high detection quality through intelligent automated selection.
3Productivity
If an evaluation unit automatically determines image quality is sufficient, then positioning efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit is integrated into the navigation system and automatically performs quality assessment of captured images without external intervention. It self-determines when sufficient marker detectability is achieved and triggers position determination accordingly. This self-service capability improves positioning efficiency by eliminating manual quality checks while the modular integration keeps added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit provides continuous feedback on image quality metrics to the position determination process. When marker detectability meets predefined thresholds, the system automatically proceeds with positioning. This feedback mechanism enables efficient automated decision-making without requiring complex external control systems, as the evaluation logic is embedded within the existing navigation architecture.
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
Enables precise and reliable determination of robot and object positions by simulating marker detectability, improving navigation system accuracy and usability in medical environments.
Implementation Method 1
Positioned on the laparoscope and on the surgical instruments are position sensors, which detect an electro-magnetic field, transmitted by an emitter of a navigation system.
Implementation Method 2
which are registered by an optical position detection apparatus of the position detection system. Based on an evaluation of the images of the position markers recorded with the optical position detection apparatus, it is possible to determine the position, i.e., the location and orientation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a position for and positioning a detection device (E) of a navigation system. First, a computer simulation of a system is done that comprises a robot (R) which has first markers (M1) of a navigation system or first prominent points, a three-dimensional object (P) which has second markers (M2) of the navigation system or second prominent points, and a detection device (E) of the navigation system. Various positions of the robot (R), the object (P), and/or the detection device (E) are simulated, and the quality of the detectability of the first markers (M1) or the first prominent points on the robot (R) and/or the second markers (M2) or the second prominent points on the object (P) are automatically determined for the simulated positions by means of the detection device (E). The determined qualities and the corresponding simulated positions and/or the simulated position having the highest or at least a sufficiently high determined quality is/are output.