3d navigation system and methods

Abstract

A 3D navigation system and methods for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, involving: an optical imaging system having an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics and movable focus optics, a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics, a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input, at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of a target and an obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly, and a proprioception feature operable with the optical imaging system for generating a 3D perception, the proprioception feature comprising a communication feature for providing 3D information, the 3D information comprising real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information within an interrogation volume.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A 3D navigation system for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, the 3D navigation system comprising:
 a proprioception feature operable with an optical imaging system for generating and enhancing a 3D perception, the proprioception feature comprising a communication feature for providing 3D information, and the 3D information comprising real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information relating to an interrogation volume,   the communication feature comprising a tracked tool and a capture feature,   the capture feature comprising: a 3D infrared (IR) optical tracking stereo camera, the capture feature configured to acquire 3D image data by inwardly precessing in a spiral pattern and outwardly precessing in the spiral pattern within the interrogation volume, whereby acquired 3D image data is providable; and a sensory device for translating the acquired 3D image data into a usable form, whereby translated acquired image data is providable,   whereby feedback during the medical procedure is enhanceable.   
     
     
         2 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical imaging system, the optical imaging system comprising an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics, movable focus optics, and an aperture; a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics; and a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, the zoom optics and the focus optics respectively independently movable by a controller by way of the zoom actuator and the focus actuator, respectively, and the optical imaging system configured to operate at a minimum working distance from at least one of a target and an obstacle, the working distance defined between the aperture of the optical assembly and at least one of the target and the obstacle. 
     
     
         3 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input. 
     
     
         4 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of the target and the obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display device for presenting the 3D information, based on the translated acquired 3D image data, the 3D information applicable to a particular context of use. 
     
     
         6 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the capture feature further comprises at least one of a vision feature, a sound feature, and a haptic feature, each of the vision feature, the sound feature, and the haptic feature respectively configured to acquire visual data, audio data, and haptic data,   wherein the capture feature further comprises an electromagnetic system configured to use at least one receiver coil disposed in relation to the tracked tool, the electromagnetic system comprising a field transmitter,   wherein the vision feature comprises a shadowing feature, and   wherein the proprioception feature and the vision feature, together, optimize 3D perception in relation to the interrogation volume by at least one of:   implementing focused visual targets by maintaining at least one of a focal plane and a focal point, using visual obscuration throughout the interrogation volume, and using a focused target in a depth dimension;   implementing serial focus adjustments by performing dynamic adjustment of a focal distance to create multiple focal points across a range of the interrogation volume; and   implementing an immersive contextual volume of view by generating a volume of view in simultaneous focus, whereby continuous contextual information throughout the interrogation volume is provided.   
     
     
         7 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the communication feature further comprises software for generating a 3D perception by providing a combination of perceivable signals, the combination of perceivable signals relating to at least two of a visual cue based on visual data, an audio cue based on audio data, and a haptic feedback based on haptic data, whereby a plurality of sensory inputs in combination with 3D feedback is provided,   wherein the communication feature further comprises at least one sensory input device and at least one sensory output device configured to transmit at least one output signal,   wherein the communication feature is operable by way of a set of executable instructions storable on a nontransitory memory device, and   wherein the particular context of use comprises at least one of a medical context and a surgical context.   
     
     
         8 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the at least one sensory input device comprises at least one of at least one detector, a display device, and an active tool, and   wherein the at least one sensory input device is configured to receive an input signal from at least one of a visual input, an audio input, and a haptic input.   
     
     
         9 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the visual input comprises at least one of an image obtained by the at least one detector,   wherein the audio input comprises at least one of voice-recognized observations,   wherein the haptic input comprises at least one of pressure exerted by tissue on a dull pressure spring,   wherein the visual output comprises at least one of a visual cue,   wherein the audio output comprises at least one of an audio cue,   wherein the haptic output comprises at least one of a touch cue,   wherein the visual cue comprises a light indication,   wherein the audio cue comprises a beep indication,   wherein the touch cue comprises a vibratory indication, and   wherein the beep indication comprises a range from a periodic beep to a persistent beep, the beep indication indicating a position of a tracked pointer tool relative to a reference plane.   
     
     
         10 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the at least one output signal comprises at least one of a variable amplitude, a variable frequency, and a signal associated with a trajectory toward the target and a signal associated with a trajectory toward an obstacle,   wherein at least one of the variable amplitude and the variable frequency is at least one of: variable as a function of proximity of the active tool in relation to at least one of the target and the obstacle, increasable as the active tool moves toward at least one of the target and the obstacle, and decreasable as the active tool moves away from at least one of the target and the obstacle, and   wherein the signal associated with the trajectory toward the target and the signal associated with the trajectory toward an obstacle are distinct from one another.   
     
     
         11 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein a reference plane is definable in relation to the interrogation volume by at least one point corresponding to at least one of a landmark and a barrier for facilitating respectively determining a position of at least one of the target and the obstacle,   wherein the at least one point is definable by a tracked pointer tool, and   wherein the tracked pointer tool is trackable by at least one technique of sonar tracking, ultrasonic tracking, and optical tracking.   
     
     
         12 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 11 ,
 wherein a position of the tracked pointer tool is defined by coordinates x, y, and z in relation to both the reference plane and at least one boundary plane of the interrogation volume, and whereby gauging a distance to at least one of the target and the obstacle is facilitated.   
     
     
         13 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 11 , further comprising the active tool having an active tool tip, the active tool comprising at least one of a linear arrangement of light-emitting diodes, at least a portion of the light-emitting diodes activated as a function of a distance of the active tool tip from the reference plane having a first location,
 wherein the active tool is configured to relocate a focal plane, and   wherein the first location of the reference plane is importable via a user interface for further enhancing 3D navigation.   
     
     
         14 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one detector comprises at least one of
 a single array of detectors comprising a plurality of video cameras;   a pair of detectors comprising at least one of a video loop configuration and a pair of video cameras;   a pair of detectors capable of stereovision, each detector of the pair of detectors comprising at least one of a distinct resolution and a distinct color, whereby differentiation between each view, corresponding to each detector of the pair of detectors, of a stereoscopic view is enabled, a stereoscopic microscope apparatus; and   a robotically operated video optical telescopic microscope apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication feature further comprises a device configured to at least one of: render an image on a display device, update the image on the display device, and track a tool tip. 
     
     
         16 . The 3D navigation system of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the at least one sensory input device is configured to at least one of: detect a plurality of sensory input signals, analyze the plurality of sensory input signals, at least one of translate and transform the plurality of sensory input signals into a plurality of sensory output signals, and transmit the plurality of sensory output signals,   wherein the plurality of sensory output signals comprises at least two of a visual feedback, a haptic feedback, and an audio feedback.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proprioception feature further comprises an ultra-high-definition (HD) thin frame for facilitating movement of a focal plane by way of a tracked pointer tool. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a 3D navigation system for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, the method comprising:
 providing a proprioception feature operable with an optical imaging system for generating and enhancing a 3D perception, providing the proprioception feature comprising providing a communication feature for providing 3D information, and providing the 3D information comprising providing real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information relating to an interrogation volume, providing the communication feature comprising providing a tracked tool and providing a capture feature,   providing the capture feature comprising: providing a 3D infrared (IR) optical tracking stereo camera, providing the capture feature comprising configuring the capture feature to acquire 3D image data by inwardly precessing in a spiral pattern and outwardly precessing in the spiral pattern within the interrogation volume, whereby acquired 3D image data is providable, and providing a sensory device for translating the acquired 3D image data into a usable form, whereby translated acquired image data is providable,   whereby feedback during the medical procedure is enhanceable.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing at least one of:
 an optical imaging system, the optical imaging system comprising an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics, movable focus optics, and an aperture; a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics; and a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, the zoom optics and the focus optics respectively independently movable by a controller by way of the zoom actuator and the focus actuator, respectively, and the optical imaging system configured to operate at a minimum working distance from at least one of a target and an obstacle, the working distance defined between the aperture of the optical assembly and at least one of the target and the obstacle;   a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input;   at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of the target and the obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly; and   a display device for presenting the 3D information, based on the translated acquired 3D image data, the 3D information applicable to a particular context of use.   
     
     
         20 . A method enhancing feedback during a medical procedure by way of a 3D navigation system, the method comprising:
 providing the 3D navigation system, providing the 3D navigation system comprising:
 providing a proprioception feature operable with an optical imaging system for generating and enhancing a 3D perception, providing the proprioception feature comprising providing a communication feature for providing 3D information, and providing the 3D information comprising providing real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information relating to an interrogation volume, 
 providing the communication feature comprising providing a tracked tool and providing a capture feature, 
 providing the capture feature comprising: providing a 3D infrared (IR) optical tracking stereo camera, providing the capture feature comprising configuring the capture feature to acquire 3D image data by inwardly precessing in a spiral pattern and outwardly precessing in the spiral pattern within the interrogation volume, whereby acquired 3D image data is providable, and providing a sensory device for translating the acquired 3D image data into a usable form, whereby translated acquired image data is providable; and 
   operating the 3D navigation system,   thereby enhancing feedback during the medical procedure.