Rotating Surgical Tool Tracking Attachment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tool tracking systems are cumbersome, leading to increased radiation exposure and provide only two-dimensional spatial information, as they struggle to accurately track the motion of rotating surgical tools in three-dimensional space.
Innovation Solution
An attachment mechanism for rotating surgical tools, featuring a mounting body, a ring, and a mounting arm that allows for the secure placement of a tracking system emitter, enabling accurate three-dimensional tracking by rotating the ring to set a desired circumferential position and maintaining it with an engagement mechanism, ensuring the emitter's accurate positioning relative to the tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-operative techniques (MRI or CT scans) and intra-operative techniques (X-ray imaging) are used for surgical tool tracking, then spatial information can be obtained, but radiation exposure increases and only two-dimensional spatial information is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces imaging-based tracking systems (MRI, CT, X-ray) with a mechanical/optical tracking system using emitters attached to surgical tools and cameras to detect their positions. This substitution eliminates radiation exposure while providing three-dimensional spatial tracking information through optical detection of emitter positions in real-time during surgery.
2Measurement precision
If video cameras or localizing devices are used to track surgical tools in three-dimensional space, then spatial tracking capability is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of integration with rotating surgical tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into separate functional components: emitters attached to surgical tools, cameras positioned in the surgical field, and a processing system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies integration with rotating surgical tools, as the emitter is a self-contained unit that rotates with the tool while being tracked by external cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the emitter as a universal tracking component that can be attached to various types of surgical tools including rotating tools. The emitter provides multi-functional capability by serving as both a position marker and a rotation reference, enabling a single tracking system to handle multiple surgical tool types and operations without requiring tool-specific tracking solutions.
3Measurement precision
If a tracking system emitter is attached to a rotating surgical tool, then accurate tracking of tool motion is achieved, but maintaining a fixed circumferential position of the emitter relative to the tool becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static emitter mounting approach to a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the emitter's circumferential position to be adjusted and locked at desired orientations. This dynamic capability enables the emitter to maintain a stable circumferential position relative to the rotating tool while accommodating different surgical requirements, resolving the conflict between tracking accuracy and position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment mechanism for a rotating surgical tool includes a mounting body defining a tool passage therein and configured for connection to a non-rotational component of the surgical tool, such that the tool passage is concentric about a rotational component of the surgical tool. The attachment mechanism further includes a ring arranged around the tool passage and rotatably connected to the mounting body. A mounting arm is attached to the ring such that rotation of the ring relative to the mounting body sets a desired circumferential position of the mounting arm relative to the tool passage, the mounting arm being configured to receive a tracking system emitter. An engagement mechanism is operable between the ring and the mounting body to maintain the desired circumferential position of the mounting arm.