Rotational Tracker Adapter With Biasing for Surgical Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems face challenges in maintaining accurate tracking of surgical instruments due to trackers being fixed or static, which can obstruct visibility and require complex, heavy, and costly mounting solutions, making them difficult to manipulate and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable tracker adapter with a biasing mechanism that allows the tracker to be removably coupled to a surgical instrument, featuring a base with a biasing element that compresses to limit movement relative to the instrument, ensuring accurate tracking without adding weight or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tracker is mounted in a fixed or static position to the surgical instrument, then the tracking accuracy is maintained, but the visibility of the tracker may be inhibited by objects positioned between the localizer and the tracker
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker is made repositionable relative to the surgical instrument through a mounting device that allows rotation about the instrument's longitudinal axis. This dynamic adjustment enables the tracker to be repositioned to avoid obstruction by objects such as instrument shafts, while maintaining accurate tracking through the rotationally adjustable mounting mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a repositionable tracker is mounted to the surgical instrument, then the visibility is maintained, but the device requires a large number of components that add weight
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The adapter assembly merges the tracker mounting mechanism with the rotational adjustment capability, eliminating the need for separate heavy components. The unified design reduces the overall number of parts and weight while maintaining the repositionable functionality needed to avoid visibility obstruction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a repositionable tracker is mounted to the surgical instrument, then the visibility is maintained, but the mounting device includes a complex arrangement of components that is difficult to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into distinct modular components: a first portion that attaches to the surgical instrument, a second portion that holds the tracker, and a rotational coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining the repositionable functionality.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the tracker is repositioned relative to the surgical instrument, then the visibility is maintained, but the spatial positioning accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device incorporates feedback mechanisms through rotationally adjustable connections that maintain precise spatial relationships. The rotational adjustment allows the tracker to be repositioned while the coupling mechanism provides feedback to ensure accurate positioning is maintained, preventing compromise of spatial positioning accuracy during repositioning operations.
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 and versatile tracking of surgical instruments by maintaining visibility and reducing the number of components, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing cost while allowing for easier manipulation during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element configured to compress in response to attachment of the retainer to the surgical handpiece
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
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.