Rotatable Surgical Tracker Adapter for Unobstructed Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems face issues with tracker visibility due to obstructions between the localizer and tracker, particularly when trackers are mounted statically to surgical instruments, requiring recalibration to maintain tracking accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument assembly with an adapter that allows the tracker to be rotated relative to the surgical instrument while maintaining a fixed relationship with the end effector, using a biasing member to create a frictional force that resists rotation, ensuring continuous tracking without recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tracker is mounted in a fixed or static position to the surgical instrument, then the mounting structure is simple, but an object can become positioned between the localizer and the tracker, inhibiting visibility and requiring recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mounting structure that allows the tracker to rotate or adjust its orientation relative to the surgical instrument. This dynamic capability enables the tracker to maintain visibility to the localizer even when objects obstruct fixed mounting positions, resolving the contradiction between simple mounting structure and reliable tracking visibility.
2Device complexity
If the tracker is mounted in a fixed position, then the mounting structure is simple, but recalibration is required when visibility is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic mounting structure allows real-time adjustment of tracker orientation to maintain visibility, eliminating the need for recalibration when objects block the line of sight. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding time loss while keeping the mounting structure relatively simple.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tracker is mounted statically, then the tracking relationship is stable, but the tracker may become obscured by surgical objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mounting mechanism that allows the tracker to rotate or reposition itself while maintaining a stable functional relationship with the surgical instrument. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the tracker to avoid obstruction from surgical objects while preserving the stability needed for accurate tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational freedom or multi-axis adjustment capability to the tracker mounting, adding a dimensional degree of freedom. This allows the tracker to change its spatial orientation and avoid obstructions from objects in the surgical field, resolving the contradiction between stability and obstruction avoidance.
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
Enables continuous tracking of surgical instruments by maintaining marker visibility, preventing obstruction-related tracking loss, and allowing for easy attachment and detachment without recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
the proximal member and the distal member define an aperture through the adapter that is configured to receive the shaft of the end effector
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An adapter for removably coupling a tracker to a surgical handpiece includes a proximal member having an interface configured to engage and prevent rotation of the proximal member relative to the surgical handpiece, a distal member slidably and rotatably coupled to the proximal member, a biasing member disposed between the proximal distal members and configured to urge the proximal and distal members in opposing directions, and a tracking array mount coupled to the distal member. The biasing member is configured to be compressed by a reference feature of the end effector and the surgical handpiece when the distal member is disposed on the end effector and the end effector is coupled to the surgical handpiece, the compressed biasing member creating a frictional force between the distal and proximal members that resists rotation of the distal member relative to the proximal member.