Enhanced Medical Instrument Tracking and Navigation System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved medical instrument system that leverages advanced tracking and navigation capabilities to enhance surgical planning, navigation, and real-time feedback, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Background and Problem Solved
Current medical instrument systems have limitations in providing accurate and real-time tracking and navigation during surgical procedures, which can lead to complications and errors. The original patent, 'Medical instrument with fiducial markers,' addressed some of these limitations, but there is still a need for further improvements to make the system more efficient, accurate, and user-friendly. The new inventive concept solves this problem by introducing advanced tracking and navigation capabilities, including machine learning algorithms and multi-angle camera systems, to provide surgeons with real-time feedback and improve surgical outcomes.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced medical instrument system comprises a physical instrument with fiducial markers, a visible light camera, and a processing unit. The camera captures images of the instrument, and the processing unit detects the fiducial markers and tracks the instrument's movement in three-dimensional space. The system can provide real-time feedback to the surgeon during the procedure, enhancing surgical navigation and planning. The system can also include a user interface, warning system, and machine learning algorithms to improve tracking accuracy and identify potential risks or complications. The system can be used in various surgical settings, including laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgeries.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces several novel features, including the use of machine learning algorithms to improve tracking accuracy, multi-angle camera systems to provide a more comprehensive view of the surgical site, and a warning system to alert the surgeon of potential errors or deviations from the planned procedure. These features, combined with the advanced tracking and navigation capabilities, provide a significant improvement over the original patent and existing medical instrument systems.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different types of cameras, such as infrared or fluorescence cameras, or the integration of additional sensors, such as force sensors or tactile sensors, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the surgical site. The system could also be adapted for use in different surgical specialties, such as orthopedic, neurosurgical, or cardiovascular surgery.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced medical instrument system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of surgical navigation and planning. The system could be marketed to hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device manufacturers, and could potentially be integrated into existing surgical systems or used as a standalone device. The market for surgical navigation systems is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries and the need for improved patient outcomes.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B34/20 |
| A | A61 | A61B34/10 |
| A | A61 | A61B2034/107 |
| A | A61 | A61B2034/2068 |
| G | G06 | G06F3/011 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device tracking and surgical navigation technologies, involving computer vision, sensor integration, and surgical instrument design with a focus on precise spatial positioning and real-time feedback systems
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in computer vision, sensor technologies, medical instrumentation, and surgical navigation systems, holding advanced degrees in bioengineering or related fields with 3-5 years of industry experience
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable extensions of the source patent's core fiducial marker tracking technology by integrating standard machine learning, multi-angle imaging, and real-time feedback techniques that are well-established in medical navigation systems. The variations demonstrate incremental improvements using known technological approaches that would be obvious to implement given the foundational tracking methodology disclosed in the source patent. The additional features like machine learning algorithms and warning systems represent standard design choices for enhancing instrument tracking precision and surgical safety.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,274 |
|---|---|
| Title | Medical instrument with fiducial markers |
| Assignee(s) | Medivis, Inc. |