Tracker with Switchable Radiation for Sterile Surgical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical navigation systems face challenges in allowing surgeons to communicate effectively with the system during procedures without contaminating the sterile environment, as traditional user interfaces like keyboards and mice are inconveniently located and pose a risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A tracker for surgical navigation systems is developed with a switchable electromagnetic radiation characteristic, allowing it to emit different radiation patterns based on user-operated switch configurations. This enables communication with the surgical navigation system without the need for traditional user interfaces, reducing the risk of contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional user interfaces (keyboard and mouse) are used for communication with the surgical navigation system, then the surgeon can operate the system, but the risk of contamination to the sterile surgery environment increases and the operation becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker serves as an intermediary device that the surgeon can operate directly while maintaining sterile contact. The switch integrated into the tracker allows the surgeon to communicate with the surgical navigation system without touching external non-sterile interfaces, thus eliminating contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker is designed to be self-contained with integrated switching mechanisms that allow the surgeon to operate it directly. The tracker handles its own control functions locally, eliminating the need for the surgeon to reach for separate keyboards or mice, thereby reducing both contamination risk and operation time
2Ease of operation
If traditional user interfaces are used, then communication with the system is possible, but the distance and placement of interfaces make them inconvenient for the surgeon
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are merged into the tracker itself through integrated switches. This combines the tracking functionality with the user interface functionality, allowing the surgeon to operate the system from the immediate vicinity of the surgical site without reaching for separate interfaces, thereby improving convenience and reducing time loss
3Reliability
If the tracker uses fixed radiation characteristics, then the optical sensor can reliably detect the tracker, but the tracker cannot provide additional communication functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker employs dynamically switchable radiation characteristics that can change based on operational mode. The electrical circuitry allows the optical radiation sources to emit different radiation patterns or intensities when switches are activated, enabling the tracker to maintain reliable tracking while simultaneously providing communication functionality through detectable radiation changes
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker changes the parameters of its emitted optical radiation (such as intensity, frequency, or pattern) based on switch configurations. These parameter changes allow the tracker to convey information about its state or receive commands while maintaining its primary tracking function, thus achieving both reliability and versatility
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
The tracker allows for efficient and contamination-free communication with the surgical navigation system, improving the speed and safety of surgical procedures by eliminating the need for inconvenient and risky user interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
A tracker, a surgical navigation system with the tracker, and a method of operating the tracker are described. The tracker comprises a first switch configured to be operated between a first switch configuration and a second switch configuration. The tracker also comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic. The tracker further comprises electrical circuitry configured to selectively control the one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation having the first radiation characteristic in the first switch configuration and to emit electromagnetic radiation having the second radiation characteristic in the second switch configuration, wherein the second radiation characteristic is different from the first radiation characteristic.