Ultrasonic Limb Tracker for Non-Invasive Bone Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical navigation systems require invasive implantation of trackers in bones, causing additional trauma and reducing surgical site visibility, and are susceptible to dislodgment, compromising tracking accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A tracking apparatus with ultrasonic sensors and trackable elements that non-invasively couple to patient limbs, using ultrasonic waves to track bone movement, and a localizer to determine position in a coordinate system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive implantation of trackers is used to track bone movement, then tracking accuracy is improved, but patient trauma and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive bone implantation system with a non-invasive ultrasonic tracking system. Ultrasonic sensors transmit sound waves through soft tissue to detect bone position and movement without requiring physical penetration or implantation into the bone, thereby eliminating surgical trauma while maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces soft tissue as an intermediary medium between the tracking device and bone. Instead of directly implanting into bone, the system uses ultrasonic waves that propagate through soft tissue to reach and track the bone, allowing non-invasive access to bone position information
2Measurement precision
If tracking arrays extend from bone to increase tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but surgical site visibility and workspace accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical tracking array extending from bone with an ultrasonic sensing system positioned externally. The ultrasonic sensors remain outside the surgical field and transmit waves through tissue to track bone position, eliminating the need for extended physical structures that would obstruct the surgeon's view and tool access
3Measurement precision
If multiple trackers are attached to bone to increase tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and risk of dislodgment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the bone itself and places it in an external ultrasonic sensing system. Instead of attaching multiple trackers to the bone, the system uses external sensors that track bone position through ultrasonic wave propagation, simplifying the overall device configuration and eliminating dislodgment risks associated with attached trackers
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
Provides accurate and non-invasive tracking of patient bones, enhancing surgical precision while minimizing trauma and interference, and improving tracking stability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ultrasonic sensors coupled to the interior surface of the body and the interior surface of wing portion, the one or more ultrasonic sensor being configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to and receive ultrasonic waves from the bone
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking apparatus for tracking a bone of a patient limb is provided. The tracking apparatus includes a body configured to couple to the patient limb. The body includes first and second arms each including an exterior and opposing interior surface and opposing sides connecting the exterior and interior surfaces. The tracking apparatus also includes a wing portion extending from one of the sides of the first or second arm, the wing portion sharing the interior surface of the first or second arm. The tracking apparatus also includes one or more ultrasonic sensors coupled to the interior surface of the body and the interior surface of wing portion, the one or more ultrasonic sensor being configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to and receive ultrasonic waves from the bone. The tracking apparatus also includes one or more trackable elements coupled to the body and the wing portion.