Surgical Item Tracking With Fixed Reference Marker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical tracking systems face challenges in reliably tracking surgical instruments due to line-of-sight issues and the need for flexible marker placement, which can lead to inaccurate tracking and potential harm during image-guided surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A kit of parts that includes a surgical item with a marker assembly and additional markers, allowing flexible attachment and tracking of the surgical item at various positions without requiring reprogramming of the tracking system, using a marker assembly with unique geometry to distinguish between different positions and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a marker assembly is attached to a surgical item to enable tracking, then the position of the item can be tracked, but line of sight may be blocked by manipulation of the item or other objects, preventing reliable tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fixed marker in addition to the marker assembly, creating a three-dimensional marker configuration. This spatial arrangement ensures that at least one marker remains visible to detectors even when the marker assembly is obscured, maintaining tracking reliability by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions for detection.
2Measurement precision
If the marker position is changed on the surgical item to optimize detector view, then tracking accuracy improves, but the tracking system requires reprogramming and this introduces delays and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed marker serves multiple functions: it provides a permanent reference point for tracking, enables determination of marker assembly position, and maintains tracking accuracy without requiring system reconfiguration. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for reprogramming when marker assemblies are repositioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed marker is pre-positioned on the surgical item before the marker assembly is attached. This preliminary placement establishes a known reference framework that allows the tracking system to automatically determine marker assembly position without requiring subsequent reprogramming or calibration.
3Ease of operation
If the marker assembly is made detachable for flexible positioning, then ease of use improves, but the risk of incorrect position information entry or accidental displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed marker provides continuous feedback to the tracking system about the correct position and orientation of the surgical item. This reference point enables real-time verification of marker assembly position, allowing the system to detect and correct improper placements without requiring manual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system automatically determines the position of the marker assembly relative to the fixed marker, eliminating the need for manual position entry or programming. This self-calibrating capability reduces human error while maintaining flexible marker assembly positioning.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A kit of parts, surgical item, method for adapting a surgical item and computer implemented method for tracking a marked surgical item are described. The kit of parts can include a surgical item, a marker assembly and at least one further marker separate to the marker assembly. The marker assembly comprises at least two markers and can be attached to the surgical item at a plurality of positions. The further marker can be mounted on the surgical item at a fixed position on the surgical item relative to a part of the surgical item to be tracked. When assembled, the position of said further marker relative to said marker assembly allows a tracking system to track the part of the surgical item with the marker assembly at any of the plurality of positions.