Augmented Reality Surgical Display with Real-Time Instrument Parameters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical instruments lack intuitiveness, dexterity, and sensitivity, making it difficult for surgeons to perform procedures with precision and clarity due to the lack of intuitive response to surgical instrument movement and obstructed views of the surgical environment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system that uses an array of pixels to detect light reflected by surgical devices, generating a modified image that includes surgical environment information and operating parameters, allowing for real-time display on a monitor or headset, and optionally rendering surgical device regions transparent to enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional minimally invasive surgical instruments are used, then post-operative recovery time is reduced and scarring is minimized, but the surgeon loses flexibility in tool placement and intuitive control
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the surgical environment displayed on a monitor that mirrors the actual surgical field. This virtual representation allows the surgeon to plan and execute procedures with the flexibility of open surgery while maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive access, as the virtual model can be manipulated and viewed from any angle without physical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the actual surgical site. By displaying the virtual surgical environment, it mediates the surgeon's control actions, allowing intuitive manipulation of instruments while maintaining minimally invasive benefits. The intermediary layer reconciles the conflict between reduced invasiveness and surgical flexibility
2Length of stationary object
If endoscopic instruments with added length are used to reach deep surgical sites, then access to the surgical environment is improved, but the surgeon's ability to feel forces exerted by tissues is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical tactile feedback pathway with an optical/electronic information pathway. Instead of relying on force transmission through long instrument shafts, the surgeon receives visual information about tissue interaction forces and positions through the monitor display, substituting mechanical sensation with electronic visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor acts as an intermediary that translates mechanical forces at the distal end of long instruments into visual information for the surgeon. This intermediary conversion allows the surgeon to perceive tissue forces and positions accurately despite the length of the instruments, bridging the gap between mechanical action and sensory perception
3Adaptability or versatility
If the surgeon views the surgical environment on a television monitor, then remote surgical operation is enabled, but coordination of end effector movement with actual instrument movement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a precise virtual copy of the surgical environment on the monitor that accurately reflects the real-time positions and movements of all instruments and tissue. This faithful replication ensures that any movement of the end effector is immediately and accurately represented in the virtual image, maintaining intuitive coordination between surgeon input and visual feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously updating the virtual surgical environment on the monitor to match the actual positions of instruments. This immediate feedback loop ensures that surgeon movements are accurately reflected in the displayed image, maintaining coordination and control during remote operation
4Productivity
If surgical devices obstruct the view of the surgical environment, then the devices can be deployed to perform surgical functions, but the surgeon's visibility of the underlying tissue is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a complete virtual copy of the surgical environment that includes portions of tissue that are physically obscured by surgical instruments. By rendering the virtual model transparent or by showing hidden surfaces, the system provides visibility of underlying tissue structures without requiring physical removal of the surgical devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual differentiation techniques in the virtual display to distinguish between surgical instruments and underlying tissue. By applying different visual properties, colors, or transparency levels to instrument representations versus tissue representations, the system maintains visibility of critical tissue structures even when instruments are present in the surgical field
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 precision by providing intuitive and unobstructed views of the surgical environment, allowing surgeons to focus on the field without looking away, and tracks operating parameters in real-time for improved dexterity and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
an array of pixels to detect light reflected by surgical devices, generating a modified image
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a detector that includes an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical device and generate a first signal. The first signal includes a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical device. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal and a second signal representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical device. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical device that includes information related to one or more operating parameters.