Surgical Navigation Tracking with Spread Spectrum Distortion Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical procedures in areas obscured by opaque tissues pose challenges due to limited visual access, necessitating precise tracking and navigation of instruments within the subject.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system utilizing a spread spectrum technique to transmit signals between tracking devices and arrays, incorporating electromagnetic and optical tracking systems, with distortion detection and correction to accurately determine the pose of instruments relative to the subject.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electromagnetic or optical tracking systems are used to determine instrument pose, then navigation capability is improved, but signal distortion from opaque tissues and surgical equipment reduces measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument pose determination accuracyVSAvoidsignal distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors signal characteristics and detects distortion in real-time, then adjusts tracking parameters and corrects pose calculations based on the detected distortion, creating a closed-loop feedback system that compensates for harmful effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary reference markers and calibration objects that mediate between the tracking system and the instrument, allowing the system to distinguish between actual instrument position and signal distortion artifacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tracking devices and arrays are deployed to enhance navigation capability, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation system capabilityVSAvoidtracking system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking devices and arrays are designed to perform multiple functions: primary position tracking, distortion detection, calibration, and verification, allowing a single system component to serve several purposes and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines distortion detection capabilities with the primary tracking function by integrating detection algorithms into the existing tracking pipeline and using the same hardware infrastructure for both tracking and distortion monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4138704B1Method of operating a navigation system
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 MEDTRONIC NAVIGATION INC
  • EP4138704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4138704B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4138704B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of operating a navigation system, comprising: generating a spread spectrum signal; transmitting the generated spread spectrum signal as a tracking signal; receiving the tracking signal; demultiplexing and equalizing the received tracking signal; and recovering the impulse response from the demultiplexed and equalized tracking signal as an impulse; wherein a pose of a tracking device is operable to be determined with the impulse recovered from the received tracking signal.