Surgical Navigation Sensor Placement and Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-guided surgical navigation systems face challenges in accurately tracking instruments within the body due to the need for dynamic reference frames that are uncomfortable for patients and can cause electrical interference, particularly when sensors are positioned away from the distal tip of instruments, leading to errors in positioning and potential electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
A surgical navigation system featuring a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and sensor-tipped instruments with isolator circuits, allowing for precise placement and electrical isolation, along with tracking sensors positioned near the distal tip of instruments to enhance accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tracking sensors are positioned in the handle of the instrument away from the distal tip, then the instrument structure is simpler, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to complex calculations and potential instrument flexing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the tracking sensor in the handle and calculating the distal tip position indirectly, the patent inverts the approach by placing the tracking sensor directly at the distal tip of the instrument. This eliminates the need for complex calculations and compensates for instrument flexing, directly providing accurate position data.
2Measurement precision
If the dynamic reference frame is attached to the patient during image acquisition until procedure completion, then the correlation between image space and patient space is accurate, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by attaching the dynamic reference frame to the patient before the procedure begins and maintaining it throughout image acquisition and the procedure. This ensures continuous accurate correlation between image space and patient space while allowing for patient comfort considerations during the process.
3Reliability
If electrical potential is provided to tracking sensors during the procedure, then the sensors can function properly, but electrical interference and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrical isolator as an intermediary component between the power source and the tracking sensors. This isolator provides the necessary electrical potential for sensor operation while blocking harmful electrical interference from reaching the patient's body, thus maintaining both sensor reliability and patient safety.
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 system enables more accurate and comfortable navigation by reducing errors in instrument positioning and minimizing electrical interference, thereby improving surgical precision and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may include an electromagnetic sensor coil
Implementation Method 2
The coil may be substantially electrically isolated from the core
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical navigation system for navigating a region of a patient that may include a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and/or fiducial marker, sensor tipped instruments, and isolator circuits. The dynamic reference frame may be placed on the patient in a precise location for guiding the instruments. The dynamic reference frames may be fixedly placed on the patient. Also the dynamic reference frames may be placed to allow generally natural movements of soft tissue relative to the dynamic reference frames. Also methods are provided to determine positions of the dynamic reference frames. Anatomical landmarks may be determined intra-operatively and without access to the anatomical structure.