Stereotactic Accuracy System Using Optical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereotactic systems face challenges in accurately positioning medical devices within the body due to inaccuracies in translating coordinates from a phantom base to the actual pointer tip location, leading to potential misalignment and errors during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An accuracy system that determines the displacement between the target point defined by a phantom base and the pointer tip of a stereotactic system, using a spatial comparison to quantify the error in x, y, and z directions, providing an output to practitioners for improved placement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stereotactic system uses coordinate translation from phantom base to pointer tip, then positioning capability is enabled, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to translation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coordinate translation system with an optical tracking system. Optical trackers use cameras and reflective markers to directly measure the three-dimensional positions of both the phantom base and pointer tip in real space, eliminating the need for mechanical coordinate transformations and their associated errors. This substitution of mechanical measurement with optical measurement resolves the contradiction by maintaining positioning capability while significantly improving positioning accuracy.
2Reliability
If stereotactic system attempts to position pointer tip at target point, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of misalignment with critical areas increases due to coordinate errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual three-dimensional position of the pointer tip is continuously measured and compared with the intended target position. The displacement between the intended and actual positions is calculated and can be used to adjust the positioning, providing real-time feedback that reduces misalignment risk while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If accuracy system measures displacement in three dimensions, then positioning error quantification is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that processes the three-dimensional position data from the optical trackers. This intermediary system calculates the displacement vectors in three dimensions and provides the error quantification, separating the measurement function from the analysis function. This approach maintains high measurement precision while managing system complexity by dividing responsibilities between the optical tracking hardware and the computational software.
Data Source
AI summary
An accuracy system configured to determine the accuracy of a stereotactic system The accuracy system is configured to determine a displacement between a pointer tip positioned by the stereotactic system and a target point defined by a phantom base. The accuracy system is configured to mechanically engage the phantom base when the phantom base mechanically engages the stereotactic system to determine the displacement. In examples, a gauge support mechanically engages a pin of the phantom base and determines the displacement using one or more visible indicia. In examples, a gauge frame supports one or more cameras and determines the displacement using a first image and a second image obtained by the one or more cameras. The accuracy system provides an output viewable by a practitioner to indicate the determined displacement.