Surgical Tracker Assembly Multipositional Connector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical trackers have large footprints, are heavy, and require multiple support components, leading to instability, fatigue for surgeons, and increased complexity, while also being non-disposable and prone to manufacturing inaccuracies due to tolerance stacks and hermetic sealing complications.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tracker assembly with a multipositional receptacle and projection system that allows for secure attachment in multiple positions, reducing footprint and weight, and eliminating the need for hermetic sealing, featuring flexible connection members and snap-fit mechanisms for easy alignment and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional trackers use multiple support components to create a rigid connection, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support components into a single integrated connector assembly. The connector includes integrated features such as the receptacle, projection, and alignment mechanisms all formed as one unit or tightly coupled assembly, eliminating the need for separate support components while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into functional elements (receptacle, projection, alignment features) that work together as a unified system. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function while the overall assembly remains simplified compared to using multiple separate support components.
2Measurement precision
If conventional trackers use a large footprint to space fiducials far apart, then tracking accuracy is improved, but interference with surgical site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes fiducial spacing by utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively. The connector design allows fiducials to be positioned at optimal distances from each other in multiple dimensions, achieving required tracking accuracy without requiring a large two-dimensional footprint that would interfere with the surgical site.
3Reliability
If conventional trackers are hermetically sealed to protect internal components, then component protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hermetic sealing requirement by extracting vulnerable internal components from the tracker design. The connector and its components are designed to function without requiring protection from environmental factors, eliminating the need for complex hermetic sealing while maintaining reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional trackers use multiple support components and manual adjustment, then connection adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates self-aligning features such as the projection fitting into the receptacle with built-in alignment geometry. This self-service mechanism automatically orients and secures the connector without requiring multiple manual adjustment steps, maintaining adaptability while dramatically improving ease of operation.
5Measurement precision
If conventional trackers increase the number of tracking markers, then tracking accuracy is improved, but weight and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lightweight connector design with thin-walled structures and flexible materials that provide the necessary mechanical strength while minimizing weight. This allows the tracker to incorporate sufficient fiducials for accurate tracking without the weight penalty that would result from using multiple heavy support components.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tracker assembly includes a tracker body including a first connector. The surgical tracker assembly also includes a mount assembly couplable to the tracker body. The mount assembly includes a second connector engageable with the first connector in at least a first position and a second position different from the first position. One of the first connector and the second connector includes a multipositional receptacle extending between a first receptacle end and a second receptacle end. The first receptacle end defines a first opening, and the second receptacle end defines a second opening. The other of the first connector and the second connector includes a projection disposable in the first opening to couple the tracker body to the mount assembly in the first position and disposable in the second opening to couple to the tracker body to the mount assembly in the second position.