Rotatable Surgical Marker for Re-Registration-Free Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality systems in surgery require re-registration and additional operations when alignment targets are re-oriented or re-positioned during a procedure, causing interference and disrupting the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
A marker system with a rotatable alignment target and optical indicator that allows continuous tracking without re-registration, using a socket configured to fit in discrete or non-discrete orientations, and a processor to calculate changes in orientation based on fixed distance and angle, updating the patient tracking vector accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the alignment target is re-oriented or re-positioned during surgery, then the surgical flexibility is improved, but the registration accuracy deteriorates due to the need for re-registration
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment target is designed with a rotatable socket that can be dynamically re-oriented during surgery while maintaining continuous tracking. The socket rotates about an axis defined by the base, allowing the alignment target to be positioned in different orientations without detaching or re-registering, thus maintaining registration accuracy while improving surgical flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical indicator is provided on the socket to indicate the angle of orientation of the alignment target about the base axis. This feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously track and calculate changes in orientation, maintaining registration accuracy even as the alignment target is re-positioned during the surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the alignment target is re-oriented during surgery, then the surgical access is improved, but the time consumption increases due to additional re-registration operations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable socket enables dynamic re-orientation of the alignment target during surgery to improve surgical access. The continuous tracking system with optical indicators eliminates the need for time-consuming re-registration operations, as the system automatically calculates orientation changes based on the visible optical indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous tracking of the alignment target throughout the surgical procedure. The optical indicator continuously provides feedback on the angle of orientation, allowing the processor to continuously update the tracking vector without interruption, thus eliminating time loss associated with re-registration operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the socket is configured for discrete orientations, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is designed with features that provide both discrete stable orientations for manufacturing precision and the capability for continuous rotation for adaptability. The optical indicator system works with both discrete and non-discrete orientations, making the system universally applicable to different surgical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the orientation parameter to change from discrete fixed values to continuous variable values. The socket can be configured to fit in discrete orientations for precision or allow non-discrete continuous rotation for flexibility, with the optical indicator system adapting to measure and track the orientation in either mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
A marker (40) for image guided surgery, consisting of a base (94), having a base axis, connecting to a clamp (42), and an alignment target (44). The alignment target includes a target region (120) having an alignment pattern formed thereon, and a socket (124) connected to the target region and configured to fit rotatably to the base, whereby the alignment target is rotatable about the base axis. The alignment target also includes an optical indicator (162) for the socket indicating an angle of orientation of the alignment target about the base axis.