Augmented Medical Vision System Automatic Display Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual switching between display modes in surgical imaging systems can be distracting and may not be performed at appropriate times during a procedure, potentially leading to inefficiencies and risks of tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

An augmented medical vision system that automatically switches between display modes based on detected events within the surgical area, using continuous capture of visible light and fluorescence illumination to highlight relevant anatomical features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual switching between display modes is used, then the surgeon can control the display mode, but it becomes distracting and may not be performed at appropriate times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay mode switchingVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects events in the surgical area and switches display modes without requiring surgeon intervention. The system monitors itself and makes decisions about when to switch between visible light and fluorescence display modes based on detected events, eliminating the need for manual switching while maintaining surgical efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the surgical area for events and uses this feedback to automatically switch display modes. When events are detected, the system responds by switching between display modes to provide relevant information, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to surgical needs in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual switching between display modes is used, then the surgeon has control, but tissue damage may occur due to delayed response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue protectionVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is pre-configured with event detection capabilities and display mode switching logic. When events are detected, the system immediately executes the appropriate display mode switch without delay, ensuring timely protection and highlighting of critical anatomical structures before tissue damage can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors for events and provides immediate feedback through automatic display mode switching. This real-time feedback loop ensures that when critical events are detected, the system responds instantly to highlight anatomical features or alert the surgeon, eliminating response delays that could lead to tissue damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances surgical efficiency by eliminating distractions and preventing tissue injury through automatic mode switching and highlighting critical anatomical structures.

Implementation Method 1

capture visible light and fluorescence illumination from a surgical area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

fluorescence imagery based on detected infrared radiation (e.g., near-infrared radiation, short-wavelength infrared radiation, and/or long-wave infrared radiation)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4717143A2Augmented medical vision systems and methods
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
  • EP4717143A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4717143A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4717143A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system directs an imaging device to continuously capture visible light and fluorescence illumination from a surgical area. The system generates a visible light image stream based on the captured visible light and a fluorescence image stream based on the captured fluorescence illumination. The system operates in a first display mode by directing a display device to display a first video stream based on a first set of at least one of the visible light image stream and the fluorescence image stream. In response to detecting an event that occurs within the surgical area, the system switches from operating in the first display mode to operating in a second display mode by directing the display device to display a second video stream based on a second set of at least one of the visible light image stream and the fluorescence image stream, the first set being different than the second set.