Augmented Reality Viewscreen Overlaying Instrument Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical procedures, especially in sinus operations, there is a challenge in visualizing the location of instruments within the patient's body, as they are often not directly visible due to their placement within anatomical cavities, limiting the surgeon's ability to accurately navigate and perform procedures without direct line of sight.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality viewing system is employed, where a tracking device on the instrument is tracked by a system that includes cameras and optical or electromagnetic tracking, allowing the instrument's position to be displayed on a transparent or semi-transparent viewscreen worn by the surgeon, overlaying the instrument's location onto the real-time view of the patient, enabling precise navigation and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an endoscope is used to view the region of operation, then the surgeon can directly observe the anatomical area, but the instrument's operating end remains invisible when positioned within deep cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy or representation of the instrument's position and orientation within the patient's anatomy, displayed as a graphical overlay on the viewscreen. This virtual instrument model is tracked through space and rendered to match the actual instrument's location, allowing the surgeon to see where the instrument tip is positioned even when physically hidden inside body cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tracking system and computer-generated visual representation as an intermediary between the physical instrument and the surgeon's perception. The tracking device attached to the instrument communicates its position to a computer system, which then renders a visual representation on the viewscreen, bridging the gap between the hidden physical instrument and the surgeon's line of sight.
2Measurement precision
If a separate display device is used to show images, then image quality can be maintained, but the surgeon cannot simultaneously view both the display and the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional separate display to a three-dimensional spatial integration by positioning the viewscreen in the surgeon's field of view. The display is overlaid on the physical space where the surgeon is already looking, combining the patient view and instrument visualization in the same spatial plane without requiring the surgeon to shift attention between separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the patient visualization and instrument position display into a single integrated viewscreen that the surgeon views simultaneously. The graphical representation of the instrument is superimposed on the live video feed of the patient's anatomy, creating a unified visual interface that combines multiple information sources without requiring separate display devices.
3Area of stationary object
If the viewscreen is positioned close to the user's eyes, then the field of view is filled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The viewscreen serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the live video feed from the endoscope, overlays the virtual instrument representation, provides spatial orientation cues, and maintains the surgeon's natural field of view. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated device, reducing overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive visual information delivery.
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
This solution allows surgeons to accurately visualize the instrument's position relative to the patient's anatomy, enhancing precision and safety during procedures by providing a real-time, augmented view of the instrument's location within the patient's body, even when it is not directly visible.
Implementation Method 1
a tracking device on the instrument is tracked by a system that includes cameras and optical or electromagnetic tracking
Implementation Method 2
a tracking device on the instrument is tracked by a system that includes cameras and optical or electromagnetic tracking
Implementation Method 3
displaying the tracked location of the instrument on the viewscreen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A system operable to allowing viewing of a physical subject with information regarding at least an item separate from the subject overlaid thereon. The system includes a viewscreen. The system is further able to determine the position of the item relative to the subject.