Tracked Registration Probe Input for Sterile Surgical Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input devices such as keyboards and mice are cumbersome and inefficient for surgeons during image-guided surgery, requiring sterility maintenance and additional steps, which can disrupt the surgical workflow and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A registration probe with a position sensor and buttons is used to interact with an IGS navigation system, allowing for input capture through movement and voice commands, eliminating the need for direct interaction with traditional input devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) are used for data capture during surgery, then information can be captured, but the surgeon must leave the sterile environment or shift focus from the patient, leading to contamination risks and procedural inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (camera or imaging system) that captures images of the surgical site, which are then processed by image recognition algorithms to extract surgical information. This intermediary system allows information capture without requiring the surgeon to interact with traditional input devices, thereby maintaining sterility while achieving the goal of information recording
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) with an automated optical and computational system. Instead of manual interaction with physical devices, the system uses cameras to capture visual information and software to automatically process and record surgical data, eliminating the need for surgeons to leave the sterile field
2Loss of information
If conventional input devices are used during surgery, then data can be captured, but additional steps are required to maintain sterility (re-sterilizing, changing gloves), increasing procedure time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing images and pre-processing them during the surgical procedure. The image recognition algorithms work in the background to extract relevant information, so that when data needs to be recorded, it is already prepared and ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data entry and sterility maintenance steps
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical information system serves itself by automatically capturing, processing, and recording surgical data without requiring surgeon intervention for data entry. The system uses the existing surgical environment and instruments to gather information, processes it through automated algorithms, and maintains records, freeing the surgeon to focus solely on the surgical procedure
3Reliability
If specialized sterile-resistant devices are manufactured for use in the sterile room, then sterility can be maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data capture function from traditional input devices and relocates it to the surgical site through imaging systems. By taking out the input device requirement entirely from the sterile field and replacing it with passive imaging sensors and automated processing, the system maintains sterility without requiring specially manufactured sterile-resistant input devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the surgical site and surgical instruments, then processes this copy to extract information. This copying approach allows the system to capture surgical data without physical contact or complex sterile devices, using standard imaging technology that can be easily sterilized or disposed of
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 efficiency by allowing surgeons to input data and commands without leaving the sterile field, reducing contamination risks and operational inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
A registration probe with a position sensor and wireless transceiver is used to capture data within the sterile environment
Data Source
AI summary
Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. These tools may include a probe which is instrumented with a position sensor allowing it to be used not only for registration of non-magnetic objects within the magnetic field, but also for providing additional inputs.