Tracking Assembly Support for TRUS Probe Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical tracking assemblies for TRUS probes have limited positional adjustment relative to patients, accommodating varying heights and weights, and extending their range of motion introduces distortion and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with a base, vertical tower, and horizontal linkage allows for flexible positioning of a tracking assembly relative to a patient's body, incorporating locking joints and actuation mechanisms for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the range of motion of the tracking assembly is extended to accommodate patients of varying heights and weights, then adaptability is improved, but the armature length increases which introduces distortion and space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into separate functional components: a base, a vertical tower with linear positioning assembly, and a horizontal linkage with armatures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the vertical tower handles height adjustment while the horizontal linkage handles lateral positioning, preventing distortion even when armatures are extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane tracking mechanism to a two-dimensional positioning system by adding a vertical tower component. This allows the tracking assembly to be positioned both vertically and horizontally, providing extended range of motion without increasing armature length in a single plane, thus avoiding distortion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the armature length is increased to expand range of motion, then adaptability is improved, but distortion in spatial tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the vertical positioning function (tower) from the horizontal tracking function (linkage with armatures), the system maintains measurement precision. The vertical tower absorbs height variations without affecting the horizontal armature length, ensuring accurate spatial tracking even when the armatures are extended to their full length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the armature length is increased to achieve necessary movement, then range of motion is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical tower component allows the system to utilize the vertical dimension for positioning, reducing the need for extended horizontal armatures. This dimensional separation enables the tracking assembly to achieve necessary movement range while occupying less horizontal space in the examination room.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are devices and methods for supporting and positioning a tracking assembly for mounting variously configured medical devices for prostate imaging, biopsy, and other therapeutic applications. In one aspect, a support assembly provides multiple degrees of freedom for positioning a tracking assembly and mounted probe relative to a patient on a patient support structure such as an examination table or a gurney bed and/or maintaining a tracking assembly and mounted probe in a desired location throughout the rendering of imaging, biopsy, or other therapeutic procedures.