Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Automated Alignment of Surgical Tools

Publication ID: 24-11857200_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Automated Alignment of Surgical Tools,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857200_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857200_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,200.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept discloses improvements to automated alignment of surgical tools, enhancing haptic control, safety, and efficiency in computer-assisted surgeries.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Automated alignment of a surgical tool,' had limitations in providing real-time adaptive haptic feedback, ensuring accurate alignment, and preventing accidental tissue damage. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by incorporating machine learning, real-time tracking, and adaptive haptic feedback to improve the overall surgical experience.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a system for automated alignment of a surgical tool, featuring a machine learning module that analyzes real-time surgical data to predict optimal alignment parameters. A robotic arm actuator adjusts the surgical tool's alignment based on these predictions, while a safety override mechanism prevents misalignment exceeding a predetermined threshold. Additionally, the system includes a virtual boundary generation module, which detects the surgical tool's proximity to the virtual boundary and applies a resistive force to prevent accidental tissue damage. The system also incorporates a sensor module for detecting the surgical tool's movement and force application, adjusting the haptic feedback in real-time, and displaying it to the surgeon through a user interface. Furthermore, the system features a high-speed camera for real-time surgical tool tracking, ensuring accurate alignment and navigation.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the use of machine learning for predicting optimal alignment parameters, real-time tracking and adaptive haptic feedback, and a safety override mechanism, which are novel and non-obvious improvements over the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include the use of different machine learning algorithms, varying levels of haptic feedback, or incorporating additional sensors for more accurate tracking. Variations may also include the application of this inventive concept to other types of surgical tools or medical procedures.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced automated alignment of surgical tools has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of computer-assisted surgeries, robotic surgery, and haptic feedback systems. The target market includes hospitals, surgical centers, and medical research institutions.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/15
A A61 A61B17/142
A A61 A61B17/1615
A A61 A61B17/1703
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/30
A A61 A61B34/76
A A61 A61B17/157
A A61 A61B34/25
A A61 A61B90/03
A A61 A61B2017/00128
A A61 A61B2034/105
A A61 A61B2034/2055

Field of Art

Surgical robotics and haptic control systems, specifically focusing on computer-assisted surgical tool alignment and navigation technologies. Expertise requires advanced knowledge of robotic engineering, medical device design, sensor integration, and human-machine interface systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or robotics specialist with advanced degrees in mechanical/electrical engineering, experienced in surgical technology design, familiar with machine learning, computer vision, and haptic feedback systems

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's machine learning-enhanced surgical tool alignment represents a predictable technological evolution of the source patent's foundational haptic control system. The disclosed variations systematically extend the original patent's core concepts by introducing adaptive tracking, predictive alignment, and safety mechanisms using well-established engineering techniques. These improvements represent incremental advancements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance surgical tool precision and safety.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Robotic arm with end effector and tracking system for detecting patient and tool positions
PTD Variation
Adding machine learning module to predict optimal alignment parameters based on real-time surgical data
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating machine learning for predictive positioning is a known technique in robotic control, representing a straightforward application of existing computational methods to improve surgical precision
Source Patent Element
Virtual boundary defined by distance from trajectory
PTD Variation
Implementing a safety override mechanism preventing misalignment beyond predetermined thresholds
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending boundary protection with active prevention mechanisms is an obvious safety enhancement using standard control system design principles
Source Patent Element
Haptic feedback system for surgical tool interaction
PTD Variation
Real-time sensor-based adaptive haptic feedback with dynamic user interface display
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing closed-loop feedback with sensor integration represents a predictable technological improvement using standard control engineering approaches
Source Patent Element
Tracking system for detecting tool position
PTD Variation
High-speed camera with image processing for real-time 3D tool tracking and navigation
Obviousness Reasoning
Upgrading positioning systems with advanced imaging represents an obvious technological progression using established computer vision techniques
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857200 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed surgical tool alignment and haptic control improvements to be obvious extensions of the prior art. The systematic combination of known robotic control techniques with machine learning and adaptive sensing represents a predictable technological evolution that lacks inventive complexity sufficient to overcome an obviousness rejection under 35 U.S.C. ยง 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,200
TitleAutomated alignment of a surgical tool
Assignee(s)MAKO Surgical Corp.