Surgical Navigation Trajectory Frame with Hybrid Fiducial Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical navigation systems face challenges in achieving precise placement and reducing radiation exposure during neurosurgical procedures, as they often require multiple imaging modalities and continuous imaging, which can be cumbersome and increase procedural time.
Innovation Solution
A trajectory frame with a base, yoke, and platform, equipped with a bore for elongated guides and devices like tracking probe mounts with reflective members, allows for dual calculation methods using both image fiducials and camera-based systems, enabling precise trajectory planning and confirmation without continuous imaging, and supports both optical and electromagnetic tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surgical navigation systems use multiple imaging modalities and continuous imaging for precise trajectory calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and use of energy increase due to cumbersome procedures and extended imaging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical fiducials and electromagnetic fiducials into a single integrated fiducial system that can be detected by both optical tracking cameras and electromagnetic tracking systems. This merging allows the navigation system to use a single unified fiducial structure rather than requiring separate imaging modalities, thereby reducing procedural time while maintaining trajectory calculation precision through dual-method verification
Solution Approach 2:
The fiducial system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides reference points for both optical and electromagnetic tracking systems, enables trajectory calculation through multiple methods, and allows for system calibration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate imaging procedures and reduces overall procedural time while maintaining high measurement precision
2Reliability
If conventional surgical navigation systems use multiple imaging modalities for trajectory verification, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple tracking systems and imaging equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical and electromagnetic tracking capabilities into a single integrated navigation system that uses a unified fiducial structure. This consolidation maintains reliability through multi-method trajectory calculation while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate, redundant tracking systems and imaging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fiducial system serves as a universal reference for both optical and electromagnetic tracking methods, enabling a single system to perform multiple verification functions. This universality improves reliability through cross-verification while simplifying the overall system architecture by reducing the number of separate components required
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
This approach facilitates precise control and delivery of therapies by allowing independent calculation of trajectories, reducing radiation exposure and procedural time, while enabling hybrid use with multiple imaging modalities.
Implementation Method 1
tracking probe with reflective members arranged in a fixed geometric relationship relative to each other, and wherein the reflective members are configured to be detectable by a camera-based tracking system
Data Source
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AI summary
Image guided surgical systems have a trajectory frame which removably secures different components for providing a desired intrabody trajectory, including one or more of an optical or EM tracking/navigation probe, and a UI and circuit configured to provide a navigation system with a registration of physical surgical space to imaging space using an optical and/or EM navigation and related markers or fiducials.