Surgical Marker Detection with Discontinuous Feedback Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current marker detection technologies for surgical guidance lack intuitive and accurate feedback mechanisms for surgeons, making it difficult to interpret signal proximity to a marker accurately.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a processor that receives input signals from a probe, determines a marker proximity value, and generates user feedback signals, such as audio or haptic signals, which are output in a perceptible form. The feedback signals are varied discontinuously at boundaries between distance bands to provide clear indications to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If proportional audio output is used to indicate marker proximity, then the system can provide continuous feedback about relative distance, but the output is not readily interpretable by the user as a specific distance value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterpretability of proximity informationVSAvoiduser interpretation of audio signal

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous range of marker proximity values is divided into discrete distance bands. Each band corresponds to a specific audible output characteristic (pitch, volume, or tone), allowing users to interpret their position relative to the marker in clearly defined segments rather than ambiguous continuous values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies analogous changes in audible signal characteristics (pitch, volume, tone) across different distance bands, similar to how color changes indicate different states. Each distance band has a distinct audible signature that intuitively communicates proximity level to the user without requiring numerical interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If the audio output varies continuously with marker proximity, then the system provides smooth feedback, but the user cannot easily discern specific distance boundaries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of distance interpretationVSAvoiddetection of distance band boundaries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous proximity range into distinct bands with clear boundaries. Each band is associated with specific audible output characteristics, creating well-defined thresholds that users can easily detect and interpret for accurate distance measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes audible output parameters (pitch, volume, tone) at specific distance band boundaries. These parameter changes create distinct auditory cues that help users accurately detect when they have crossed into a new distance band, improving boundary detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If a visual display is used to show distance values, then the user can read specific distance information, but the surgeon must divert attention from the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of proximity dataVSAvoidsurgeon attention diversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual display mechanisms with an auditory feedback system. The audio output provides real-time proximity information through sound characteristics that the surgeon can perceive without shifting visual attention from the surgical site, eliminating the need for visual monitoring of distance values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces audio signals as an intermediary medium to convey proximity information. Instead of requiring direct visual contact with display screens, the auditory feedback acts as a mediator that delivers critical distance data through the surgeon's hearing, allowing simultaneous visual focus on the surgical field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The method provides a more intuitive and accurate interpretation of signal proximity, allowing surgeons to discern changes in distance bands clearly, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A handheld probe generates an alternating field which excites a magnetically responsive marker and detects the responding magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250185939A1Systems and methods for detecting markers for surgical guidance

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 ENDOMAGNETICS LTD

AI summary

A method for detecting a marker in a body, comprising receiving an input signal from a probe, where the input signal is generated by a probe in response to detecting a marker signal from the marker; determining a marker proximity value based on the input signal, the marker proximity value corresponds to a distance between the probe and the marker; generating a feedback signal for output by a user interface device based on the marker proximity value, and outputting feedback signal, wherein range of the marker proximity value is divided into predetermined distance bands; and wherein at least one parameter of the feedback signal, or a rate of change of the at least one parameter of the feedback signal in relation to marker proximity value, is varied discontinuously at a boundary between at least two adjacent bands. The feedback signal may be an audio signal and/or a haptic signal.