Stylet and Lead Tracking System for Surgical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigated surgery systems face challenges in accurately tracking and displaying the location of surgical instruments within the patient's body, particularly in maintaining registration of patient movement during procedures, which affects the precision of instrument placement.
Innovation Solution
A lead placement system incorporating a stylet with multiple tracking devices positioned along its length, allowing for precise tracking and display of the instrument's position relative to the patient, utilizing an electromagnetic tracking system to maintain registration and account for patient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tracking device is used on the instrument, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of instrument location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into multiple segments, each equipped with its own tracking device. The stylet contains multiple tracking devices at different positions (distal tip, intermediate, proximal), and the lead contains tracking devices at specific locations. This segmentation allows independent tracking of each component, improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex tracking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from tracking a single point to tracking multiple points in three-dimensional space simultaneously. By distributing tracking devices throughout the instrument length, the system captures spatial information across multiple dimensions, enabling more precise localization and orientation determination of the entire instrument assembly.
2Measurement precision
If multiple tracking devices are positioned along the instrument length, then the measurement precision of instrument location is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Tracking devices are nested within the instrument structure itself. The stylet contains multiple tracking devices positioned along its length, and the lead contains tracking devices within its body. This nesting integrates the tracking functionality into the instrument without adding external complexity, as the tracking devices become part of the instrument's internal architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking devices serve multiple functions: they track the stylet position, track the lead position, determine instrument orientation, and enable real-time visualization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking systems for different purposes, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If real-time tracking of multiple devices is implemented, then the accuracy of instrument placement is improved, but the use of energy by the tracking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system operates by periodically updating the positions of multiple tracking devices rather than continuously monitoring at maximum rate. This periodic sampling maintains adequate real-time tracking capability for surgical precision while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-frequency tracking of all devices simultaneously.
4Reliability
If multiple tracking devices are used to track both stylet and lead, then the reliability of navigation information is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking systems for the stylet and lead are merged into a single integrated navigation system. Multiple tracking devices on both instruments communicate with a common tracking infrastructure, allowing the system to process and display unified navigation information. This merging improves reliability by providing comprehensive tracking data from all components while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems.
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
Enhances the accuracy of instrument placement by providing real-time tracking and visualization of the stylet and lead within the patient's body, improving the precision and safety of navigated surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The tracking device can include a trackable portion, such as a conductive coil that can be detected by a suitable tracking system
Data Source
AI summary
Image data can be obtained with an imaging device. A location of the imaging device relative to a subject can be determined. A location of an instrument can be tracked relative to the subject using a tracking system. Also, the tracked location of the instrument can be illustrated relative to the image data.