Remote Tracker Illumination for Surgical Line-of-Sight Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems in surgical procedures face delays and errors due to interruptions in the localizer's ability to monitor trackers, particularly when line-of-sight is obstructed, leading to inefficient communication of tracker status, which can disrupt surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a remote illumination assembly that directs visible light to trackers, allowing for the reflection of status conditions without obstructing the localizer's view, using a controller to detect conditions and control the illumination assembly to communicate tracker status remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a localizer monitors trackers using optical-based navigation systems, then the position and orientation can be determined accurately, but the line-of-sight can be obstructed causing delays and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system consisting of status indicators on trackers and a separate camera system that monitors tracker status without requiring the localizer to have direct line-of-sight. This intermediary system allows status information to be transmitted even when the primary optical tracking path is blocked, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tracking accuracy and avoiding procedural delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tracking system into two independent subsystems: (1) the localizer-tracker optical tracking system for position and orientation determination, and (2) a separate status indication system with visual indicators and camera monitoring. This segmentation allows one subsystem to function independently when the other is obstructed, preventing delays while maintaining tracking precision.
2Measurement precision
If medical professionals remove obstructions and verify tracker operation, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but surgical procedure efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through visual status indicators on trackers and a camera system that monitors these indicators and communicates status to the surgical team. This real-time feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual verification of tracker operation, maintaining tracking accuracy while preventing interruptions to surgical workflow and preserving procedural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker status monitoring system operates autonomously without requiring medical professionals to manually check or verify tracker operation. The system self-monitors through onboard status indicators and the camera system, automatically detecting and communicating tracking status, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual verification steps while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
3Reliability
If surgeons visually check display screens to confirm tracker status, then tracker operation is verified, but attention is diverted from the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual status indicators directly on trackers (such as colored LEDs or colored elements) that provide immediate visual feedback about tracker operation. Surgeons can assess tracker status by observing these color indicators in the surgical field without diverting attention to separate display screens, thereby maintaining both verification reliability and workflow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the tracker status information from a separate two-dimensional display screen into the three-dimensional surgical field by placing visual indicators directly on the trackers themselves. This allows surgeons to monitor tracker status within the existing surgical view rather than shifting attention to a separate monitor, maintaining surgical focus while ensuring tracker verification.
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 efficient and uninterrupted communication of tracker status, reducing delays and errors by providing visual feedback directly to the user, enhancing surgical precision and workflow continuity.
Implementation Method 1
control the illumination assembly to remotely direct the visible light at the tracker such that the visible light is reflected by the tracker to communicate the detected condition
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical systems and methods involve a tracker having at least one trackable component and a localizer configured to track states of the at least one trackable component. An illumination assembly is located remote from the tracker and is operable to direct a visible light. A controller is coupled to the localizer and to the illumination assembly. The controller is configured to detect a condition and control the illumination assembly to remotely direct the visible light at the tracker such that the visible light is reflected by the tracker to communicate the detected condition.