Surgical Tool Identification via Geometric Feature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems face challenges in accurately identifying cutting tools, leading to potential misuse due to label damage, human error, and confusion with interchangeable tools, which can result in improper implant placement and increased procedural time.
Innovation Solution
A cutting tool identification system that includes a shaft with identifying features, a drive assembly, a motor, a control unit, and a computing unit to determine the cutting tool's position and suitability for a surgical procedure, using geometric properties and contact detection to verify the tool's identity and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If labels are used to identify cutting tools, then tool identification is provided, but labels can become damaged, covered with blood or debris, or cause human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual label-based identification system with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors detect unique geometric features of the cutting tool (such as diameter, flutes, or other physical characteristics) and automatically identify the tool, eliminating the need for physical labels that can be damaged or contaminated by blood and debris during surgery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interchangeable tools are used during the same procedure, then surgical flexibility is improved, but confusion between tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback by using sensors to detect the unique features of each interchangeable cutting tool and providing automatic identification to the surgical navigation system. This feedback mechanism ensures that regardless of how many different tools are used during the procedure, each tool is accurately identified based on its physical characteristics, eliminating human confusion and selection errors.
3Device complexity
If manual tool identification is used, then system complexity is reduced, but procedural time increases due to human error and verification
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool identification system performs self-service by automatically detecting tool features through sensors and identifying the tool without requiring manual intervention from the surgeon or surgical team. The system autonomously verifies tool identity and provides this information to the surgical navigation system, eliminating the time-consuming manual verification process while adding minimal complexity through integrated sensor detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (200) and method (600) for identifying cutting tools for use during a surgical procedure are described. For example, the system includes a cutting tool assembly (210) including a shaft (212) having a cutting element (214) and at least one identifying feature (216) that uniquely corresponds to the cutting element. The system further includes a drive assembly (220) including a reference pin (224), a motor (230) mechanically connected to the drive assembly, a control unit (240) configured to activate the motor to move the cutting tool assembly such that the reference pin engages with the at least one identifying feature, a sensor system (226) configured to determine positioning information related to the reference pin when the reference pin engages the at least one identifying feature, and a computing unit (250) configured to receive the positioning information from the sensor system and identify the cutting element based upon the position information.