Rotating Surgical Tool Adapter for Accurate Image-Guided Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-guided surgery tools face challenges in maintaining accurate tracking and stable gripping of tools that require rotation, leading to tracking errors and obstruction of the surgeon's view due to marker visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A tool adapter with a rotating tool grip and a position marker that allows for precise tracking and minimal total indicated runout (TIR), featuring a collet mechanism for secure tool retention and a torque limiting device to manage rotation, ensuring accurate tool positioning and visibility during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tool is mechanically held in a fixed position during surgery, then the surgeon's hands are freed for other tasks, but the tool cannot be rotated when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The tool adapter incorporates a rotating tool grip that allows the tool to rotate about the adapter arm axis while maintaining mechanical support. This dynamic capability enables the tool to transition between fixed and rotated states, resolving the contradiction between hand freedom and rotation capability.
2Measurement precision
If a marker is attached to the tool for tracking, then tool position can be determined accurately, but the marker may obstruct the surgeon's view
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is extracted from direct attachment to the tool and instead is attached to the adapter arm at a location away from the surgical field. This separation allows the marker to perform its tracking function without obstructing the surgeon's view of the anatomy and tool interaction.
3Measurement precision
If the tool grip is rigidly connected to prevent rotation, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but tools requiring rotation cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The tool grip is designed with rotational freedom about the adapter arm axis while maintaining rigid connection in other degrees of freedom. This selective rigidity allows rotation when needed while preserving tracking accuracy through the position marker on the adapter arm.
4Reliability
If a collet mechanism is used to secure the tool, then tool retention is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collet mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the tool and the adapter arm. This standardized intermediary provides reliable tool retention through a proven mechanism while maintaining modularity, allowing the complex function to be isolated to a replaceable component.
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
The tool adapter achieves precise tool tracking with minimal TIR, improving surgical accuracy and maintaining marker visibility, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of image-guided surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the marker having optical elements enabling the marker to be tracked spatially
Data Source
AI summary
A tool adapter (18), consisting of an adapter arm (102) having a proximal end terminating with a connection (110) and a distal end having a circular coupling (104), the circular coupling having a center and defining an axis (114) orthogonal to the circular coupling and passing through the center. The adapter also has a tool grip (32) rotatingly connected to the circular coupling so as to permit rotation of the tool grip about the axis, the tool grip being configured to fixedly retain a tool (16) along the axis.