Enhanced Medical Instrument with Advanced Fiducial Markers and Integrated Sensors for Improved Surgical Planning and Navigation
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An enhanced medical instrument with advanced fiducial markers and integrated sensors, providing real-time feedback and improved accuracy in surgical planning and navigation, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and reducing malpractice liabilities.
Background and Problem Solved
Current surgical planning and navigation systems have limitations with regard to image accuracy, sterility, and real-time feedback. The original patent's medical instrument with fiducial markers addresses some of these limitations, but further improvements are needed to ensure accurate and efficient surgical procedures. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by incorporating advanced fiducial markers, integrated sensors, and real-time feedback mechanisms.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced medical instrument comprises a main tubular body with a first terminus and a second terminus, a code platform with advanced fiducial markers, and integrated sensors for measuring physiological parameters during a surgical procedure. The advanced fiducial markers enable accurate tracking of the instrument in 3D space, while the integrated sensors provide real-time feedback on the patient's vital signs. The system also includes a processing unit for analyzing images and determining the position of the medical instrument, and a display module for providing real-time visual feedback of the instrument's position and movement.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces advanced fiducial markers, integrated sensors, and real-time feedback mechanisms, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in accuracy, sterility, and efficiency of surgical procedures, thereby constituting a novel and non-obvious invention.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different types of sensors, such as temperature or pressure sensors, or different materials for the code platform and fiducial markers. Variations could also include different shapes and sizes of the medical instrument, or different methods for tracking and analyzing the instrument's movement.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced medical instrument has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of surgical navigation and planning. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions, where the inventive concept could improve patient outcomes, reduce malpractice liabilities, and enhance the overall efficiency of surgical procedures.
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 technology, surgical navigation systems, and instrument tracking with a focus on fiducial marker systems and surgical imaging techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in surgical instrumentation, image-guided surgery, sensor integration, and medical imaging technologies, holding at least a master's degree with 3-5 years of practical experience
Obviousness Rationale
A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core technology by adding integrated sensors, real-time tracking, and enhanced fiducial marker systems to an existing medical instrument design. The technical improvements are incremental and leverage known techniques in surgical navigation and instrument tracking. The modifications represent standard engineering approaches to enhancing medical device functionality through sensor integration and advanced imaging techniques.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,274 |
|---|---|
| Title | Medical instrument with fiducial markers |
| Assignee(s) | Medivis, Inc. |