Symmetric-Marker Surgical Tool Tracker for Balanced Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical navigation systems face challenges with integrated trackers that require surgeons to adapt to new tools when changing tracking technologies, and external trackers disrupt the balance and handling of familiar surgical tools.
Innovation Solution
A releasable tracker with symmetrically arranged markers, attachable to surgical tools via an attachment element, providing both passive and active tracking options, and incorporating a stopper element to limit insertion depth, ensuring balanced and familiar tool handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external tracking device is attached to a surgical tool, then the tracking technology can be changed without switching surgical tools, but the surgical tool becomes much heavier and off balance
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is divided into separate modular components: a lightweight attachment element that interfaces with the surgical tool, and a separate tracker body containing the markers. This segmentation allows the tracking functionality to be detached or attached as needed, reducing the permanent weight burden on the surgical tool while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element is designed with a releasable connection mechanism that allows dynamic attachment and detachment of the tracker. This dynamic configuration enables the surgical tool to operate in a lightweight state when tracking is not needed, while allowing tracker attachment when navigation is required, thus adapting the weight characteristic to the operational needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an external tracking device is attached to a surgical tool, then the tracking technology can be changed without switching surgical tools, but the surgical tool becomes off balance
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element incorporates counterbalancing features with asymmetric mass distribution that compensate for the weight of the tracker body. By strategically placing counterweights or balancing elements opposite to the tracker attachment point, the overall center of gravity of the surgical tool assembly is maintained, preventing the tool from becoming off balance when the tracker is attached.
3Weight of moving object
If integrated markers are used, then the surgical tool is light-weighted and well-balanced, but the surgeon has to switch to a new surgical tool when changing tracking technology
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different types of trackers (passive markers, active markers, various marker configurations) while maintaining a consistent connection mechanism. This universal design allows the same attachment element to work with multiple tracking technologies, eliminating the need for surgeons to switch surgical tools when changing tracking systems.
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
The tracker allows surgeons to use familiar tools while maintaining balance and providing precise tracking, with integrated stopper elements ensuring accurate insertion depth control and reducing the need for tool adaptation.
Implementation Method 1
A passive tracker comprises markers that reflect light. The reflected light can be detected by the camera.
Implementation Method 2
An active tracker generates light (e.g., via a light-emitting diode) that can be detected by the camera.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracker for a surgical navigation system is provided. The tracker includes one or more markers for determining a position of the tracker and an attachment element configured to releasably attach the tracker to a surgical tool. The attachment element includes an opening for receiving the surgical tool, wherein the opening defines a longitudinal axis. The one or more markers are coupled to the attachment element so as to be symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis.