Trajectory Guide Assembly for Surgical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical navigation systems lack the ability to efficiently and accurately guide medical devices and substances to specific locations within the body, particularly for procedures like deep brain stimulation and tumor removal, due to limitations in trajectory precision and device compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A system with a trajectory guide assembly that can interchangeably hold fluid-filled single or multi-lumen guides and device guides, combined with image processing to generate virtual trajectory guides, allowing for precise alignment and placement of devices within the body using directional indicia and actuators for pitch and roll adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a surgical navigation system uses a fixed guide structure for trajectory selection, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different devices and procedures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of guides (fluid-filled single lumen, fluid-filled multi-lumen, and device guides) through a standardized mounting mechanism. The platform with open port and alignment features allows interchangeable attachment of different guide types, enabling one structure to serve multiple functions across various surgical procedures and device configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trajectory guide assembly uses multiple interchangeable guide types, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is segmented into distinct modular components: a base for securing to the body, a yoke for pitch adjustment, a platform for guide attachment, and various guide types (fluid-filled single lumen, fluid-filled multi-lumen, device guides). Each component can be independently selected, adjusted, or replaced based on procedural requirements, reducing the complexity burden by allowing selective assembly rather than requiring all features in one monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the yoke mechanism that allows pitch angle adjustment of the platform relative to the base. This dynamic element enables the same static guide structure to adapt to different trajectory requirements, providing versatility without requiring multiple complete assembly variants.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses fluid-filled guides with contrast agents for trajectory visualization, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of substance (contrast agent) occurs during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an image processing circuit as an intermediary that generates virtual trajectory guides based on images of the actual guide assembly and patient anatomy. This virtual overlay provides continuous trajectory visualization without requiring physical contrast agents in the guides, eliminating substance loss while maintaining measurement precision through digital image processing and alignment algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for surgical navigation use a trajectory frame/guide assembly for use with surgical navigation systems that includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis and interchangeably holds a single lumen or multi-lumen guide array and a device guide. A device guide can be rotated to align an access channel with a desired lumen path. No x-y actuators are required and a virtual guide array may also or alternatively be used to identify a desired open channel in the device guide for the preferred trajectory path.