Rotational Tracker Adapter With Compressive Biasing for Localizer Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems face challenges in maintaining visibility of trackers due to their fixed or static mounting on surgical instruments, which can obstruct the localizer's view and require complex, heavy, and costly components.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable tracker adapter with a biasing mechanism that allows the tracker to be removably coupled to a surgical instrument, using a base with a biasing element to maintain visibility and limit movement relative to the instrument, reducing weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tracker is mounted in a fixed or static position to the surgical instrument, then the spatial positioning of the tracker relative to the surgical instrument is maintained, but the visibility of the tracker to the localizer may be inhibited when an object becomes positioned between the localizer and the tracker
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker mount is designed with a rotational mechanism that allows the tracker to rotate relative to the surgical instrument about a longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability enables the tracker to be repositioned to maintain visibility with the localizer while the surgical instrument maintains its spatial positioning relationship with the mount.
2Reliability
If a device is used to mount the tracker to the surgical instrument with moving components, then the tracker can be repositioned to maintain visibility, but the device requires a large number of components that add weight and make the surgical instrument heavy and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker mount is integrated as a component of the surgical instrument assembly rather than being a separate device. The mount includes a rotational mechanism that is combined with the instrument's existing structure, reducing the total number of components and minimizing additional weight while providing the necessary repositioning capability.
3Reliability
If a complex arrangement of components is used to maintain spatial positioning of the tracker relative to the surgical instrument during repositioning, then the tracker can be repositioned to maintain visibility, but the device becomes difficult to manufacture and/or assemble, adding cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker mount is designed as a modular component that can be separately manufactured and then assembled to the surgical instrument. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components and facilitates easier assembly procedures, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining the necessary spatial positioning capabilities.
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 accurate tracking of surgical instruments by maintaining visibility of tracking elements, reducing weight and manufacturing costs, and simplifying assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element extends from one of the proximal end and the distal end of the base to an abutment interface arranged for engaging the surgical handpiece, with the biasing element configured to compress in response to attachment of the retainer to the surgical handpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical navigation tracker assembly including a rotational adapter for removably attaching a tracker to a surgical instrument assembly including a surgical handpiece. The adapter may be coupled to an end effector of the surgical instrument and configured to allow the end effector to actuate relative to the adapter. The end effector may comprise a stop, the adapter configured to abut the stop when coupled to the end effector. The adapter may comprise a mount for releasably securing the tracker to the adapter. The adapter may also comprise a biasing element, and the biasing element may comprise an abutment interface configured to engage either of the surgical handpiece or the stop when the end effector is coupled to the surgical handpiece. The biasing element is configured to limit rotation of the adapter relative to the surgical handpiece when the abutment interface is engaged with the surgical handpiece or the stop.