Surgical Tool Actuation for Tremor Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems in orthopedic surgery face challenges due to muscle tremor and involuntary movements, leading to imperfect positioning of tools and prolonged operations, with existing solutions either lacking programmable control or being costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and tool that uses position detection and an actuation unit to move the tool to a predetermined position relative to the body part, compensating for user and body movements, allowing for precise control and correction of tool positioning in real-time through adaptive control and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a robot is used to automatically perform surgical steps, then positioning precision is improved, but operation duration increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between manual operation mode and automatic correction mode. The actuation unit remains inactive during manual positioning, then activates automatically when deviation exceeds a threshold, combining the flexibility of manual control with the precision of automated correction to optimize both speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting positioning deviations and activating the actuation unit to correct them without requiring continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces operation duration while maintaining high positioning precision
2Manufacturing precision
If a robot is used to automatically perform surgical steps, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation unit serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's manual control and the final tool positioning. It provides automated correction only when needed, acting as a mediator that reduces the complexity burden of full automation while maintaining positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the activation parameter of the actuation unit based on real-time deviation detection. The actuation unit is activated only when positioning deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold, transforming the system from a static fully-automated design to a dynamic conditional-activation design that reduces overall complexity
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates due to muscle tremor and involuntary movements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors tool position and body part position, providing real-time feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect deviations caused by muscle tremor and activate correction, maintaining positioning precision while keeping the device relatively simple
4Ease of operation
If manual operation is used, then operation flexibility is maintained, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its level of automation based on real-time conditions. During manual operation, the actuation unit remains inactive to preserve surgeon flexibility and control. When deviation exceeds the threshold, the system automatically activates correction, thus maintaining operation flexibility while improving positioning precision when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for treating all types of parts, in particular bones, organs, etc. of the human/animal body, which includes a housing (3), a tool (1) associated with the housing (3), and an actuation unit causing a relative movement between the housing and the tool. The device is designed and constructed to permit process control by the user, while utilizing the specific possibilities of robotics and computer-assisted navigation in such a manner that the position of the tool can be detected, and that the position of the body part being treated can be detected or predetermined, with the actuation unit being activatable in such a manner that it moves the tool within a predetermined work area to a predetermined relative position with respect to the body part being treated.