Surgical Instrument Dual Reference Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical instrument navigation systems face challenges with line of sight problems, where obstacles obstruct the view of infrared markers, requiring time-consuming adjustments and disrupting surgical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument equipped with two differently arranged reference systems, one proximal and one distal, allowing for redundant tracking modalities to determine position and orientation, ensuring reliable navigation even if one system is obscured or defective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single reference system is used for tracking the surgical instrument, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of navigation is compromised due to line of sight problems
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple independent reference systems: a first reference system (infrared markers) for general tracking and a second reference system (optical pattern) for redundant tracking. This segmentation allows the system to maintain navigation reliability even when one reference system is obscured, as the other can continue to provide tracking data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection modality parameter by implementing two different reference systems with different detection characteristics. The first reference system uses infrared detection while the second uses optical pattern recognition, allowing the system to adapt to different line of sight conditions and maintain reliable navigation.
2Reliability
If redundant reference systems are implemented to solve line of sight problems, then navigation reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both reference systems into a single instrument structure. The instrument can operate using either reference system depending on which is detectable, providing universal tracking capability across different surgical scenarios and reducing the need for separate tracking devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two different reference systems (infrared markers and optical pattern) into a single surgical instrument. This combining approach allows the instrument to carry multiple tracking modalities simultaneously, ensuring that at least one reference system remains detectable even when the other is obscured by surgical obstacles.
3Ease of operation
If the tracking camera is positioned at a large distance to capture infrared markers, then the field of view is cleared, but the line of sight problem increases when objects obstruct the view
Solution Approach 1:
The optical pattern serves as an intermediary reference system that can be detected by the surgical microscope or endoscope already positioned in the surgical field. This intermediary approach allows tracking without requiring the tracking camera to be positioned at a distance, maintaining both surgeon's view clearance and tracking reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument for a surgical assistance system includes a handle; an end section with a working point, in particular a tip; and a first reference system arranged in a predetermined first position relative to the working point, in particular rigidly attached to the handle, and which is adapted for determining a condition and/or an orientation of the end section with the working point based on its detection, in particular by a tracking system of the assistance system. The instrument further includes a second reference system arranged distally, in particular at the end section, in a predetermined, second condition relative to the working point, and which is designed as an optical, in particular planar, pattern adapted so that the position and/or orientation of the end section with the working point can be determined based on its optical detection, in particular by an optical recording system of the assistance system.