AR Surgical Display Timing for RF Interference Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical procedures lack effective methods for providing an augmented reality interactive experience that enhances real-world surgical environments with computer-generated sensory information, including visual, auditory, haptic, and olfactory feedback, to improve surgical precision and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a remote server, augmented reality output device, and surgical hub that determines contextual parameters and procedural data to initiate responses based on anticipated trigger events, overlaying relevant sensory information onto the surgical field in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple surgical devices and AR output devices are used simultaneously, then surgical precision and information availability are improved, but signal interference and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical hub proactively identifies potential RF interference events before they occur by analyzing procedural data and contextual parameters. When interference is anticipated, the system preemptively adjusts communication frequency intervals and schedules AR information updates to avoid conflict with surgical device operations, thereby maintaining communication reliability while enabling multiple devices to operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the frequency interval for displaying AR surgical information based on real-time surgical context and anticipated RF interference events. The control circuit modifies display frequency adaptively - reducing frequency during high-risk interference periods and increasing it during safe periods - thus balancing information availability with communication reliability across multiple simultaneous devices
2Loss of information
If AR information is displayed continuously at high frequency, then information availability is improved, but surgical workflow distraction and cognitive load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous high-frequency display, the system implements periodic AR information updates synchronized with procedural steps and contextual events. The control circuit determines optimal display timing based on procedural data, ensuring information is presented at meaningful intervals when it adds value without creating distraction, thus improving information availability while maintaining surgical workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses contextual parameters and procedural data as feedback to intelligently control AR display frequency. By analyzing the surgical context, the control circuit adapts information presentation to match actual surgical needs, reducing unnecessary displays that would distract surgeons while ensuring critical information is always available at appropriate moments
3Reliability
If RF interference mitigation measures are implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical hub performs multiple functions using the same contextual analysis infrastructure: it identifies anticipated RF interference events, determines procedural steps, and schedules AR information displays. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control circuit that processes procedural data and contextual parameters, the system achieves reliable communication without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and device for displaying relevant augmented reality (AR) content to a surgical staff members without over-saturating the augmented display with virtual elements. The surgical staff members (e.g., doctors, nurses, surgeons, technicians, etc.) require AR content that is delicately balanced between displaying helpful information without distracting the surgeon. A surgical hub receives a plurality of inputs related to surgical environment and displays only necessary information to allow the surgeon to provide effective care to the patient, based on a determined trigger event.