Surgical Device Recognition via Automatic ID Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately registering surgical instruments and maintaining a sterile environment due to the need for manual and error-prone processes when exchanging instruments between position-tracking arrays, which can lead to increased operation time and risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a digital data processor to detect identification information on surgical instruments and position-tracking arrays using various sensing devices, such as visible-light cameras or RFID tags, allowing for automatic registration without disturbing the sterile field, with safety features like user confirmation and warnings to prevent errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual association and calibration procedures are used to register instruments with position-tracking arrays, then the surgical navigation system can track instruments, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automatic instrument recognition. The sensing device automatically detects instruments in the sterile field and the digital data processor automatically associates them with position-tracking arrays, eliminating the need for manual calibration procedures while maintaining accurate registration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated optical and electronic system. The sensing device captures images and the digital data processor performs automatic recognition and association, substituting the manual mechanical process with an automated electronic system that is both faster and more accurate
2Reliability
If manual calibration procedures are performed outside the sterile field, then instruments can be registered with the navigation system, but the sterile field must be disturbed increasing infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device acts as an intermediary that bridges the sterile and non-sterile fields. It is positioned in the non-sterile field but can detect and image instruments within the sterile field without breaking sterility, enabling automatic registration while maintaining sterile field integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of physically moving instruments in and out of the sterile field for calibration with an automated imaging and recognition system that performs registration remotely, eliminating the need to disturb the sterile field
3Quantity of substance
If fewer position-tracking arrays are used than instruments needed, then equipment costs are reduced, but instrument exchange between arrays becomes necessary and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic recognition system enables rapid reassignment of instruments to different position-tracking arrays without manual calibration. When instrument exchange is needed, the system automatically detects the new instrument and associates it with an available array, eliminating the time-consuming manual process
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic adaptability to the instrument-array assignment process. Instead of fixed assignments requiring manual reconfiguration, the system dynamically and automatically matches instruments with available position-tracking arrays in real-time, greatly improving exchange efficiency
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 method enables rapid, accurate, and error-reduced registration of surgical instruments within the surgical navigation system while maintaining the integrity of the sterile environment, reducing the risk of infection and operation time.
Implementation Method 1
detecting identification information associated with the surgical device using a sensing device... detection techniques for detecting the position-tracking array and the identification information for the instrument or object, including, for example, analysis of visible-light images... as well as other technologies such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags
Implementation Method 2
a set of stereoscopic infrared cameras that are positioned within the operating environment... detect the position-tracking array... a plurality of reflective members arranged in a unique geometry
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for registering objects with a surgical navigation system are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for registering objects with a surgical navigation system can include detecting identification information associated with an object using a sensing device coupled to a digital data processor and detecting a position-tracking array using the sensing device. The method can also include searching a digital data store coupled to the digital data processor that contains a listing of objects and associated identification information to identify an object having identification information that matches the identification information detected by the sensing device, and registering with the surgical navigation system an association between the position-tracking array and the identified object.