Quick Connect System for Surgical Navigation Tool Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-assisted surgery tracking systems face challenges with detachable trackers that require stable connections to surgical tools, which can be costly and affect precision due to potential play between the tools and trackers.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect system with a male and female engagement, a latch mechanism, and complementary features ensures a planned positional alignment between components, allowing for reliable tracking of surgical tools without the need for mechanical calibration during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If detachable trackers are used on surgical tools, then tool simplification and inventory reduction are achieved, but connection stability and tracking precision deteriorate due to potential play between components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking solution into separate modular components: a reusable tracker device and a detachable surgical tool. The tracker contains the optical elements while the tool has a separate quick-connect interface, allowing independent optimization of each component while maintaining tracking capability through their connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-connect system incorporates pre-designed complementary features (male and female engagement geometries, alignment pins, snap-fit elements) that are manufactured into the components beforehand. These pre-configured features automatically ensure proper alignment and stable connection when the components are assembled, eliminating the need for manual calibration or adjustment during surgical procedures.
2Ease of operation
If detachable connections are used between tools and trackers, then ease of assembly and disassembly are improved, but connection stability deteriorates due to potential play
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connect mechanism incorporates dynamic elements such as spring-loaded snap-fit features, movable alignment pins, and elastic deformation zones in the male-female engagement geometry. These dynamic features allow the connection to self-adjust during assembly, absorbing manufacturing tolerances and ensuring a stable, play-free connection without requiring complex fastening procedures.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical calibration during assembly is required, then tracking precision can be maintained, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to user intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connect system is designed to be self-calibrating through its geometric features. The complementary male and female engagement geometries, along with alignment pins and snap-fit elements, automatically establish the correct relative positioning between the tracker and tool components during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external calibration equipment or skilled operator intervention, maintaining precision while enabling rapid assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool assembly may include a first component, a second component, a tracker device connected at least to the first component. A quick connect system for releasably connecting the first component to the second component, the quick connect system including a male and female engagement, a latch mechanism for latching the first component to the second component. Complementary features are on the first component and on the second component to ensure a planned positional alignment between the first component and the second component upon latching of the male and female engagement, for tracking of the second component with the tracker device.