Surgical Tool with Electrode and Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical navigational systems lack neuromonitoring capabilities to assess neural structure integrity and proximity, while neural integrity monitoring systems do not provide visual navigational assistance, necessitating an integrated system that combines neuromonitoring and surgical navigation with electrostimulation and tracking.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool assembly with an electrically conductive member capable of electrostimulation and a tracking system to provide real-time positional information, allowing for the integration of neuromonitoring and surgical navigation, enabling visualization of instrument trajectory relative to patient anatomy and assessment of neural structure integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional surgical navigational systems are used, then visual navigational assistance is provided, but neuromonitoring capabilities to assess neural structure integrity are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines surgical navigation and neuromonitoring into a single integrated system. The surgical instrument includes both navigation tracking components and electrostimulation electrodes, allowing simultaneous visual guidance and neural integrity assessment without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a navigation-tracked tool and a neuromonitoring device. The same instrument body houses tracking markers for visual guidance and conductive elements for electrostimulation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.
2Reliability
If neural integrity monitoring systems are used, then neuromonitoring capabilities are provided, but visual navigational assistance is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges neuromonitoring functionality with surgical navigation by integrating tracking markers and electrostimulation capabilities into the same instrument. This allows real-time positional tracking and neural integrity monitoring to occur simultaneously through a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system provides dual feedback: visual feedback from navigation tracking showing instrument position relative to anatomical structures, and neural feedback from electrostimulation responses indicating neural structure integrity. Both feedback streams are processed and displayed together to guide surgical decisions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate surgical navigation and neuromonitoring systems are used, then each system can perform its specialized function, but the overall surgical process requires multiple instruments and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is designed as a universal tool that performs both navigation and neuromonitoring functions. The instrument body incorporates tracking markers for visual guidance and conductive electrodes for electrostimulation, allowing a single tool to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of separate navigation and neuromonitoring instruments into a single integrated device. The instrument combines mechanical surgical capabilities with embedded tracking and electrostimulation systems, reducing the total number of instruments needed during the procedure.
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
Enables precise navigation and neuromonitoring during surgical procedures, reducing the risk of neurological injury by providing real-time feedback on instrument proximity and neural structure integrity, enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The body member has an electrically conductive portion connected to an energy source and is capable of applying electrostimulation energy provided by the energy source
Implementation Method 2
The surgical tool further has a tracking system associated with the instrument and operative to provide information regarding a position of the instrument
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical instrument capable of applying an electrostimulation to a neural structure. The surgical instrument also has a tracking system associated therewith to provide navigational tracking during a surgical procedure.