Optical Tracking Arrays for Precise Surgical Instrument Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical procedures such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS) face challenges with reduced visualization and location awareness, leading to inaccurate implant placement and increased operating room time due to the limitations of traditional surgical techniques.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of surgical navigation systems using tracking arrays with uniquely identifiable markers and attachment features that allow for accurate, real-time tracking of surgical instruments, minimizing interference during operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical techniques are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but visualization and location awareness are reduced leading to inaccurate implant placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tracking arrays with markers as intermediary objects that are attached to surgical instruments. These markers serve as mediators between the physical surgical instruments and the digital navigation system, enabling precise tracking and visualization of instrument locations and orientations without directly enhancing the surgeon's anatomical visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical navigation methods with an optical tracking system. Instead of relying on mechanical alignment tools or direct physical measurement, the system uses optical cameras to detect markers and computationally determine instrument positions, substituting mechanical interaction with optical field-based measurement.
2Measurement precision
If tracking arrays are attached to medical instruments, then surgical instruments can be tracked accurately, but interference with surgeon's movement may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking array is segmented into multiple components: a base portion attached to the instrument and a protruding portion extending away from the instrument. This segmentation allows the tracking markers to be positioned at an optimal distance from the surgical instrument, improving tracking accuracy while minimizing interference with the surgeon's manipulation of the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking array utilizes three-dimensional spatial positioning by extending the marker array in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument. This dimensional extension allows the markers to be tracked in multiple dimensions (x, y, z coordinates) while maintaining a compact profile that minimizes interference with surgical operations.
3Productivity
If traditional tracking methods are used, then surgical procedures can proceed, but operating room time increases due to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system enables continuous real-time tracking of surgical instruments throughout the procedure. The optical tracking cameras continuously capture marker positions, and the navigation system continuously updates instrument location and orientation data, providing uninterrupted feedback to the surgeon. This continuous tracking eliminates the need for periodic repositioning or recalibration, maintaining both efficiency and accuracy throughout the entire surgical procedure.
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 surgical precision by providing near real-time feedback and reducing tissue trauma, leading to safer and less invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of the plurality of tracking markers are configured to reflect an optical signal which is captured by the image capturing device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems for surgical navigation, the system comprising a tracking array attachable to a medical instrument, an image capturing device, and a navigation system that communicates with the image capturing device and generates tracking information of the medical device.