Single Image Capture Unit for Marker and Markerless Surgical Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems for objects in surgical environments require multiple markers and capture units, which increase system complexity, cost, and resource requirements, while also necessitating complex registration and alignment procedures.
Innovation Solution
A single image capture unit is used to capture both marker and markerless tracking data, allowing for the simultaneous determination of the position and orientation of surgical tools and patient anatomy using projected dots and markers, thereby reducing the need for multiple capture units and simplifying system registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple capture units are used to track both markers and projected dots, then tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single image capture unit is configured to perform multiple functions: capturing images of markers on surgical tools and capturing images of projected dots on patient anatomy. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate capture units for marker-based and markerless tracking, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining tracking accuracy through unified data processing in a common coordinate system.
2Loss of information
If multiple capture units are deployed, then comprehensive tracking data is obtained, but registration and alignment procedures become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges marker-based tracking and markerless tracking into a single integrated process by using one image capture unit to collect both types of data. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex registration and alignment procedures between multiple capture units, as all data is already captured from a single reference point, significantly simplifying system operation.
3Reliability
If multiple capture units are used, then tracking coverage is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single image capture unit is designed to handle both marker-based and markerless tracking functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple power-consuming capture units. This approach maintains comprehensive tracking coverage while significantly reducing electrical power consumption and other resource requirements associated with operating multiple devices.
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 system costs and resource needs by eliminating the need for multiple capture units and registration, while enabling accurate tracking of surgical tools and patient anatomy in a common coordinate system.
Implementation Method 1
a projector configured to project a pattern of dots within a tracking volume
Implementation Method 2
passive markers can reflect an optical signal toward a camera (of the tracking system) that captures the reflected signal
Implementation Method 3
determining a three-dimensional position of the one or more markers from the captured images of the one or more markers
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a projector to project a pattern of dots within a tracking volume, a medical instrument having markers and positioned within the tracking volume, an image capture unit to capture images of the medical instrument and the markers. The image capture unit captures images of the pattern of dots within the tracking volume, and a computing device performs operations that include initiating capture of at least two images of the medical instrument and the markers, determining a three-dimensional position of the markers from the captured images of the markers, initiating projection of the pattern of dots within the tracking volume, initiating capture, of at least two images of a portion of the pattern of dots, and determining three-dimensional positions of dots in the portion of dots from the captured images.