External Display Marking for Internal Anatomical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-guided surgery methods distract surgeons by relying heavily on pre-acquired images, affecting hand-eye coordination and making it difficult to accurately place implants or meshes around internal anatomical features.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a marking device positioned within the subject to identify points of interest and a display device external to the subject, which displays these points in response to signals from the marking device, allowing for accurate localization of internal anatomical features without sole reliance on pre-acquired images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional image-guided surgery methods using pre-acquired images are used, then surgical planning and orientation capability are improved, but surgeon focus and hand-eye coordination deteriorate due to constant distraction and reference to external images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a display device and marking device that translates internal anatomical feature positions into external visible markers. The display device projects markers onto the patient's body surface, serving as an intermediary between the internal anatomy (seen in pre-acquired images) and the external surgical field, allowing the surgeon to maintain focus on the surgical site while receiving orientation information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cognitive process of constantly referencing external images with an automated optical system. The marking device automatically identifies anatomical features and the display device projects corresponding markers, substituting the surgeon's manual image-registration task with an automated optical indication system that provides continuous real-time feedback.
2Measurement precision
If surgeons rely on pre-acquired images and pre-planned markings, then surgical planning accuracy is improved, but the ability to accurately place implants or mesh around internal anatomical features deteriorates due to disorientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the marking device continuously monitors the patient's anatomy and the display device updates marker positions in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to verify implant placement accuracy continuously during the procedure, adjusting as needed to maintain precise alignment with the anatomical defect edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms three-dimensional internal anatomical relationships into two-dimensional external marker patterns that can be easily perceived and interpreted by the surgeon. By projecting markers onto the patient's body surface, the system creates a two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional anatomical relationships, making it easier to visualize and maintain proper implant placement orientation and margins.
3Loss of information
If constant reference to pre-acquired images is required, then orientation capability is improved, but surgical efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to distracted attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying anatomical features and generating appropriate marker patterns without requiring the surgeon's continuous intervention or interpretation of images. The marking device and display device work autonomously to provide orientation information, freeing the surgeon to focus on the surgical procedure itself and improving overall surgical efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for indicating positioning of an internal anatomical feature is presented, including a display device external to a subject and a marking device positionable within the subject to identify one or more points of interest within a region of interest. The display device displays the one or more points of interest in response to at least one signal received from the marking device. The display device is applied to an outer surface of the subject. The display device may be a physical sheet of reactive material draped over the patient, a solution coated onto the subject or a monitor. The marking device may be a energy source, an ultraviolet source, an infrared source, a laser source or a visible light source inserted through an abdominal wall of the subject.