Rotatable Reference Element Adapter for Computer Guided Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-guided surgery instruments face challenges with calibration accuracy and stability, leading to potential navigation inaccuracies and increased risk of patient injury due to the need for pre-calibration and the possibility of calibration errors with existing intermediate piece adaptors.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable reference element adaptor is directly integrated onto the instrument shaft, eliminating additional interfaces and sources of error, with a selectively operable mechanical retainer ensuring precise angular positioning and allowing for pre-calibration of both symmetrical and asymmetrical instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate piece adaptor with rotatable reference star is used, then different instruments can be navigated, but additional interfaces introduce angular inaccuracies and calibration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate piece adaptor from the system and integrates the reference star directly onto the instrument shaft. This extraction of the intermediary component eliminates the additional interface that caused angular inaccuracies, while the reference star remains directly coupled to the instrument for continued navigation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reference star and instrument shaft into a single integrated assembly. The reference star is directly coupled to the instrument shaft without an intermediate adaptor, combining the navigation reference function with the instrument itself to eliminate cumulative interface errors
2Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate piece adaptor is used, then instrument navigation is enabled, but the adaptor can come loose during application, distorting calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The reference star is integrated directly onto the instrument shaft through threading or other secure attachment methods, merging two previously separate components into one unified assembly. This eliminates the risk of the intermediate adaptor coming loose during surgical application while maintaining navigation functionality
3Ease of operation
If intra-operative calibration with intermediate adaptor is performed, then instrument navigation is established, but calibration errors may be introduced and conceal sources of error
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate piece adaptor is removed from the calibration system, eliminating the source of cumulative interface errors. The reference star is directly coupled to the instrument shaft, ensuring that calibration measurements are taken from the true instrument axis without intermediate interface deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument shafts are pre-calibrated with the reference star directly attached in known angular positions before surgical use. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for complex intra-operative calibration procedures involving intermediate adaptors, reducing both time and potential for error
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The instrument includes a shaft and a reference element adapter, wherein the reference element adapter is directly couplable to the shaft and rotatable about the shaft. A selectively operable mechanical retainer provides retention of the reference element adapter to an instrument shaft adapting interface of the instrument shaft. The instrument also includes a reference element orientating mechanism arranged at an interface between the instrument shaft adapting interface and the reference element adaptor. The reference element orienting mechanism is capable of fixing at least one angular position of the reference element. The instrument also includes a grip piece interface on the instrument shaft, and a grip piece is selectively couplable to the grip piece interface.