Arthroscopic Blood Flow Detection for Surgical Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional navigational surgery systems face challenges in providing accurate and efficient processing for surgical procedures, particularly in arthroscopic procedures, due to limitations in distinguishing between uniform tissues like cartilage and bone, and issues with line-of-sight requirements and accuracy in existing tracking methods such as optical and electromagnetic navigation systems.

Innovation Solution

A computerized framework that utilizes real-time blood flow information to visualize and differentiate vasculature within anatomical structures during surgical procedures, allowing for the placement of virtual location markers and guiding surgical actions without the need for dyes or additional incisions, and leveraging preoperative imaging to create a map of blood vessels for intraoperative registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical tracking systems are used for navigation, then tracking capability is provided, but line-of-sight requirements and limited accuracy volume restrict surgical workflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidsurgical workflow

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical tracking systems with electromagnetic field-based tracking. The electromagnetic navigation system uses a field generator and tracking sensors that do not require line-of-sight, allowing instruments to be tracked inside the body and eliminating the need to maintain camera positions within defined accuracy volumes during surgical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If electromagnetic navigation systems are used, then line-of-sight requirements are eliminated, but metal interference degrades measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical workflowVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acknowledges that metal interference in electromagnetic fields is a known limitation, but addresses it through careful system design and procedural adaptation. The field generator position is optimized to minimize metal interference in the tracking volume, and surgical workflow is adapted to account for these constraints while maintaining the benefits of non-line-of-sight tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of information

If conventional tracking methods are used, then anatomical structures can be localized, but uniform tissues like cartilage and bone cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical differentiationVSAvoidsurgical accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fluorescent dyes to different anatomical structures (cartilage, bone, ligaments) that emit different wavelengths of light when excited. The imaging system detects these distinct fluorescent signals, allowing real-time differentiation of uniform tissues during surgery. This enables surgeons to visually distinguish between tissue types that would otherwise appear identical under conventional imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fluorescent dyes as intermediary substances that bind to specific anatomical structures. These dyes act as mediators between the anatomical structures and the imaging system, enabling the detection and differentiation of tissues based on their fluorescent properties rather than their inherent optical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If additional skin incisions are made for rigid attachment of trackers, then tracking stability is improved, but surgical invasiveness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking stabilityVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical tracking systems that require rigid attachment via skin incisions with electromagnetic field-based tracking. Small sensors can be placed minimally invasively or even introduced through existing surgical ports, eliminating the need for additional incisions while maintaining tracking stability through field-based detection rather than mechanical attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240122671A1Computerized Systems for Arthroscopic Applications Using Real-Time Blood-Flow Detection

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 SMITH & NEPHEW INC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and methods for a computerized framework that provides novel mechanisms for arthroscopic applications using real-time blood flow information. The disclosed framework operates by determining a real-time (or near real-time or substantially simultaneous) visualization of blood vessels or perfusion within anatomical structures during intraoperative procedures, and leveraging this determined information for the performance of an arthroscopic procedure. The disclosed framework can enable an arthroscopic camera to see blood flow and perfusion in tissues in real-time, which allows for differentiation of various parts of the anatomy that may otherwise be undetectable.