Small Surgical Tracking Device with Removable Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems rely on large, invasive tracking devices that cause trauma and increase the risk of postoperative complications, such as fracture or infection, due to their rigid attachment to bony structures.
Innovation Solution
Development of small tracking devices with a rigid or flexible section and a joint, equipped with position-indicating sensors, that can be removably attached to anatomical structures, allowing for precise tracking and minimal invasive procedures, using materials like surgical stainless steel or fiber optic glass fibers, and enabling two-way communication with surgical navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large tracking devices are rigidly attached to bony structures, then tracking accuracy is improved, but patient trauma and risk of postoperative complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is divided into separate modular components: a small tracking element that attaches to the bone and a larger external housing containing the sensors. This segmentation allows the bone-attached portion to be minimally invasive while maintaining tracking accuracy through the external sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible or rigid connector acts as an intermediary between the small bone-attached tracking element and the external sensor housing. This intermediary transmits positional information while allowing independent optimization of the attachment size and sensor size, reducing direct trauma to the bone.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large tracking devices are used, then tracking stability is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the stable bone-attached reference point from the complex sensor housing, allowing each component to be optimized independently. The simple bone attachment provides stability while the external housing contains the complex tracking electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex sensor housing and electronics are extracted from the bone-attached portion and placed externally. This extraction reduces the complexity of the invasive component while maintaining tracking stability through the external sensor array.
3Strength
If bicortical fixation is used for large tracking devices, then attachment strength is improved, but risk of fracture and infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the bone-attached portion large and invasive to achieve strength, the invention inverts the approach: a small, simple attachment provides the anchor point while the external housing provides the structural strength and sensor mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector or linkage acts as an intermediary that transmits forces and positional information between the small bone attachment and the external housing, allowing the external housing to bear the mechanical loads rather than the bone attachment site.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and device for tracking an anatomical structure includes a section having a small cross section relative to the length, a first end of the section having a tip capable of being removably attached to the anatomical structure; and a second end of the section that has two position-indicating sensors located thereon. The position-indicating sensors are tracked and displayed by the system.