Shadow Imaging Tracking in Surgical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical navigation systems for procedures like total knee replacement are limited by high costs, complex workflows, and the inability to adjust implant positions during surgery, leading to suboptimal ligament balancing and increased operation times.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a shadow imaging tracking system directly into patient-specific instruments allows for precise real-time tracking and visualization of surgical tools relative to anatomical structures, enabling accurate positioning and adjustment during surgery without the need for external trackers or complex registration processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external trackers and complex registration processes are used for surgical navigation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tracking system directly with the patient-specific instrument by integrating a markerless shadow imaging tracking system into the instrument structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate external trackers and complex registration processes, achieving real-time position tracking while reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shadow imaging system as an intermediary mechanism that projects light patterns onto the instrument to enable markerless tracking. This intermediary approach allows precise position detection without requiring traditional external trackers or complex registration procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If patient-specific instruments are used for direct anatomy registration, then operation time is reduced, but adaptability during surgery is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation timeVSAvoidimplant position adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback through the integrated shadow imaging tracking system, which continuously monitors the position of the patient-specific instrument and surgical tools. This feedback enables the surgeon to adjust implant positions during surgery while maintaining the efficiency benefits of patient-specific instrumentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static patient-specific instrument into a dynamic system by integrating real-time tracking capabilities. The instrument can now adapt to intraoperative findings and allow for position adjustments while maintaining registration accuracy throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If traditional computer-assisted surgery with external trackers is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomy registration precisionVSAvoidsurgical workflow simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tracking system with the surgical instrument itself, eliminating the need for separate tracker placement and registration steps. This integration maintains measurement precision while dramatically simplifying the surgical workflow by reducing the number of discrete operations required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patient-specific instrument performs self-tracking through the integrated shadow imaging system, eliminating the need for external trackers and complex registration procedures. The instrument automatically provides real-time position information without requiring additional surgical steps for tracker placement or system calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach reduces operation time, enhances precision, and allows for flexible adjustment of implant positions, improving ligament balancing and reducing the complexity of surgical workflows while maintaining the simplicity of patient-specific instrumentation.

Implementation Method 1

The integrated measurement system comprises a shadow imaging tracking system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShadow imaging: Shadow

Data Source

PatentUS11701180B2Surgical instrument system

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 MEDIVATION AG

AI summary

A surgical instrument system (1) for treatment of an anatomical structure (3, 5) comprises an instrument (8) and/or a patient specific instrument (2, 4) for performing the treatment on the anatomical structure. The instrument (8) and/or the patient specific instrument (2, 4) comprises an integrated measurement system (20, 40, 80) for tracking the instrument (8) and/or the patient specific instrument (2, 4) relative to the anatomical structure (3, 5), whereby the integrated measurement system comprises a tracking system (6, 10), which comprises a shadow imaging tracking system.