Polyphonic Audio Synthesizer for High-Resolution Surgical Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current localization systems provide feedback signals that are either unpleasantly shrill or provide poor resolution, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately locate markers during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A digital synthesizer design generates a continuous polyphonic feedback signal with multiple audio tones, each with a unique frequency and amplitude modulation based on the marker's location, providing nuanced and natural-sounding transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a continuous audio signal with frequency inversely proportional to distance is used, then the feedback signal provides continuous resolution, but the rapid increase to high pitches produces unpleasant shrill sounds and can damage speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio feedback into multiple discrete frequency tones (e.g., 10-50 Hz, 50-100 Hz, 100-200 Hz, etc.) rather than using a continuous frequency sweep. Each frequency band is independently controlled by activation functions that modulate their amplitudes based on probe-marker distance, creating segmented frequency regions that avoid the harmful high-pitch continuous signal while maintaining continuous positional resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from continuous frequency modulation to discrete frequency band activation with amplitude modulation. Instead of varying frequency continuously (which causes shrill sounds), the system varies the amplitude of multiple fixed frequency bands, each representing a distance range, thereby transforming the harmful continuous high-frequency signal into a controlled combination of lower frequency bands.
2Reliability
If a discontinuous audio signal with predefined frequency steps is used, then the feedback signal reduces speaker stress, but it provides poor resolution making it difficult for surgeons to understand immediate impact of smaller movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic amplitude modulation of multiple frequency bands based on the probe-marker distance. The activation functions continuously adjust the amplitude of each frequency band according to the current distance, creating a dynamic feedback signal that adapts to the probe's position. This dynamic approach provides smooth transitions and fine resolution while avoiding the abrupt frequency jumps that stress speakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple frequency bands into a single polyphonic audio signal, where each band contributes to the overall feedback. By combining several frequency components (e.g., low, mid-low, mid-high, high bands) with different amplitudes, the system achieves both speaker protection (through lower individual frequencies) and high resolution (through the composite information from multiple bands).
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method for providing feedback by a localization system comprises: obtaining location information of a marker, wherein the location information is generated by the localization system; generating a feedback signal comprising a plurality of audio tones, wherein each audio tone has a frequency different from the other audio tones of the plurality of audio tones, and wherein each audio tone is associated with a respective activation function of a plurality of activation functions, the respective activation function configured to modulate an amplitude of the respective audio tone based on the obtained location information of the marker; and providing the feedback signal to indicate the location information of the marker.