Adaptive Surgical Control Using Multispectral Smoke Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical imaging systems often fail to recognize and convey critical structures, dimensions, and movements within a three-dimensional space, leading to uncertain decision-making and potential damage to vital structures during surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical visualization system that utilizes multispectral electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to detect airborne particulates, characterize particulate clouds, and adjust surgical system controls based on these characteristics, enhancing the identification and avoidance of critical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems are used to view the surgical site, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot recognize concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional imaging to three-dimensional spatial mapping by using multiple image sensors positioned at different locations. This dimensional enhancement enables the system to recognize concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within the surgical site that cannot be detected by traditional flat imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform, combining structure mapping, smoke detection, aerosol characterization, and surgical guidance. This multi-functional approach achieves high measurement precision for concealed structures without proportionally increasing device complexity, as shared hardware and processing resources serve multiple purposes.
2Loss of information
If conventional imaging systems are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the system cannot convey critical information to clinicians for informed decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures images from multiple sensors, processes the data to identify concealed structures and aerosol characteristics, and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures critical information is conveyed to clinicians without significant information loss, enabling informed surgical decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the image sensors and the clinician interface. This intermediary system performs complex image processing, three-dimensional reconstruction, and aerosol characterization, translating raw sensor data into meaningful visualizations and measurements that clearly convey critical structural information to clinicians.
3Manufacturing precision
If surgical systems operate without real-time detection of airborne particulates, then the control system remains simple, but the system cannot identify and avoid critical structures with precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mapping of the surgical site anatomy and critical structures before the actual surgical intervention begins. By pre-identifying concealed structures, blood vessels, and other critical features through multi-sensor imaging, the system establishes a reference framework that guides subsequent surgical actions with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging and control system operates dynamically, continuously updating the three-dimensional map of concealed structures and adjusting surgical guidance in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high surgical precision even as anatomical structures move or change during the procedure, unlike static pre-operative planning alone.
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
Enables real-time, precise identification and avoidance of critical structures, improving surgical precision and reducing the risk of damage to vital tissues by providing enhanced visualization and control adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The control circuit is configured to detect the EMR reflected from particulates in an aerosol as received by the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The imaging system includes an emitter configured to emit multispectral electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
Data Source
AI summary
Various control systems for controlling a surgical system according to detected airborne particulate cloud characteristics are disclosed. The control systems can adaptively control various surgical devices, such as surgical instruments and smoke evacuators, according to the configuration or change in state of a surgical smoke cloud or another aerosol detected at a surgical site.