Surgical Referencing Unit Movable Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical referencing units require complex and error-prone calibration processes to determine the position and orientation of surgical instruments or implants, as the relative positions of marker elements are typically fixed, leading to potential misselection and incorrect measurements during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical referencing unit with a base body and movable marker elements, equipped with a first interface device that automatically sets predefined marker element positions and configurations, allowing for unique assignment to instruments or implants through a second interface device, eliminating the need for manual calibration by automatically determining the type and position of the instrument or implant using relative marker element positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If marker elements are fixed in position on the base body, then the structure is simple and stable, but manual calibration is required which is complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The marker elements are made movable relative to the base body through mechanical interfaces (slots, guides, springs) that allow them to shift position. This dynamic configuration enables the marker geometry to adapt automatically to different surgical instruments, eliminating the need for manual calibration while maintaining accurate position determination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple marker elements are provided with fixed positions, then the navigation system can determine position and orientation, but the referencing unit cannot be automatically assigned to different instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The referencing unit performs self-calibration through the automatic interaction between the movable marker elements and the instrument-specific interface device. When an instrument is attached, the interface device automatically positions the marker elements into the correct configuration without requiring operator intervention or time-consuming calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable marker elements are pre-configured to assume specific positions corresponding to different instrument types. The mechanical interface is designed in advance with features (slots, guides, springs) that enable automatic positioning, so that when an instrument is attached, the correct marker configuration is immediately established without requiring preliminary calibration steps.
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed to assign referencing unit to instrument, then correct position measurement can be achieved, but operator errors may occur due to misselection
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the correct instrument type and configures the marker elements accordingly through the mechanical interface, eliminating the need for operator selection and manual calibration. This self-service mechanism prevents operator errors while maintaining precise position and orientation measurements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical referencing unit for a surgical navigation system, with which a position and/or orientation of the referencing unit in the room can be determined, wherein the referencing unit comprises a main body and at least one marker element arranged on the main body, wherein the position of the marker element in the room can be determined by the navigation system, wherein in order to improve the surgical referencing unit in such a way that the handling thereof is simplified and possible errors in the use thereof are avoided, it is proposed that the at least one marker element be movably supported on the main body, that the referencing unit comprise a first interface device, which is designed to be engaged with a second interface device provided on a surgical instrument or an implant in a connection position, and that the at least one first marker element can be brought into a predefined marker element position depending on the interacting first and second interface devices. The invention further relates to an improved surgical instrument and an improved surgical navigation system.