Navigated Force-Sensing Instruments for Real-Time Spinal Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal surgery techniques lack effective feedback and control mechanisms for applying corrective forces, leading to potential complications and inefficiencies in deformity correction procedures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of navigated force sensing instruments with optical tracking and navigation systems to measure deflections and stiffness of spinal instruments, allowing precise application of forces and characterization of spinal deformities, using flexible portions with known stiffness to calculate applied forces and track instrument locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual force application is used without navigation or sensing, then the surgeon has tactile feedback and visualization, but there is no real-time quantitative measurement of applied forces
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible portion with known stiffness is introduced as an intermediary element between the rigid proximal and distal portions of the instrument. This flexible portion acts as a mechanical mediator that transmits force while allowing measurable deflection, enabling force calculation through navigation system tracking of marker displacement without requiring complex force sensors in the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical force sensing with an optical navigation-based measurement system. Instead of using strain gauges or force sensors embedded in the instrument, the system uses optical tracking of markers to measure displacement of the flexible portion, then calculates force through known stiffness relationships, substituting mechanical sensing with optical-mechanical measurement.
2Loss of information
If robotics and navigation are integrated into spine surgery, then safety and efficiency are enhanced, but there is still insufficient real-time feedback on clinically significant parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system provides real-time feedback by continuously tracking the positions of markers on the instrument and calculating applied forces based on flexible portion deflection. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to monitor clinically significant parameters (applied forces, instrument position) in real-time during the procedure, enabling informed decision-making without requiring complex additional sensing systems.
3Measurement precision
If multiple markers are used for navigation tracking, then instrument location and force can be measured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into distinct functional portions (rigid proximal portion, flexible portion, rigid distal portion), with markers strategically placed on each segment. This segmentation allows the navigation system to track different aspects of instrument behavior independently - the rigid portions for position/orientation and the flexible portion for deflection/force measurement - achieving comprehensive measurement with a coordinated marker system rather than a single complex sensor.
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
Enhances safety and efficacy of spinal deformity correction by providing real-time feedback and improved control over corrective forces, ensuring accurate and repeatable surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible portion located along the body, and the flexible portion is positioned between the rigid marker and the movable marker. When the surgical task is performed, the plurality of markers indicate an amount of force applied to the instrument.
Implementation Method 2
navigated instruments may be tracked during spinal procedures... Force sensing instruments, which employ optical tracking methods, may be used to measure the deflections of load-bearing portions of the instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
Navigated force sensing instrument, systems, and methods. The navigated force sensing instruments may be used for applying forces to correct the spine, for example, in compression, distraction, reduction, and/or derotation. The trackable instrument includes markers viewable and trackable by a navigation system, including rigid and movable markers. The trackable instrument includes a flexible portion located between the rigid and movable markers. When a surgical task is performed, the markers indicate the amount of force applied to the instrument and/or a stiffness of the spine.