Operating Room Data Stream Synchronization Using Audio Event Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical data streams from different devices in an operating room are not time synchronized due to the use of individual internal clocks, leading to inaccuracies in data combination and synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system that synchronizes data streams based on event detection, specifically using acoustic analysis of sounds within the operating room to identify audio events and apply timestamps for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each surgical device uses its own internal clock to timestamp data streams, then each device can independently record and store data, but the data streams from different devices are not time synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio signal as an intermediary reference that all devices can detect. The audio event detector identifies specific audio events (like surgical tool activation sounds) and the system uses these detected events as a common reference point to synchronize timestamps across all data streams, resolving the time synchronization issue while maintaining each device's independent operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting audio events that occur during surgery and using these detections to adjust and align timestamps across different data streams. The synchronization process continuously monitors audio events and adjusts timing offsets based on detected events, ensuring all devices remain synchronized throughout the procedure
2Productivity
If multiple data streams are combined without time synchronization, then data from all devices can be collected, but the combined data lacks accurate temporal alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal serves as a mediator that enables accurate time alignment of multiple data streams. By detecting audio events that are present across all streams simultaneously, the system can accurately correlate timestamps from different devices without requiring complex inter-device communication or centralized time distribution
Solution Approach 2:
Each device continues to independently timestamp its own data streams using its internal clock, maintaining self-service operation. The synchronization is achieved through the common audio reference that all devices detect independently, allowing each device to remain autonomous while achieving collective synchronization
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
Ensures accurate time alignment of data streams by using audio events to synchronize video and audio streams, correcting time offsets and enhancing data integrity during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The system detects an audio event within the operating room by performing an acoustic analysis upon the audio stream
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a surgical system. The method includes receiving 1) a video stream captured by a camera inside an operating room and 2) an audio stream that includes sounds captured by a microphone inside the operating room. The method detects an audio event within the operating room by performing an acoustic analysis upon the audio stream. The method produces a timestamp based on the detected audio event and based on an internal clock of the electronic device and tags the timestamp to the video stream and the audio stream. The method stores the tagged image stream and the tagged audio stream in memory.