Back-Illuminated Tissue Visualization System for Cardiac Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
During mitral valve repair or replacement surgery, existing illumination methods, such as surgical loupes and overhead lights, fail to effectively distinguish between different tissue types and structures due to inadequate visualization of tissue transitions and structures.
Innovation Solution
A tissue illumination system that uses a light source deployed within a body cavity, such as a cardiac chamber, to illuminate tissues from behind, utilizing chemiluminescent sources, LEDs, electroluminescent wires, or fiber optic cables, with a positioning mechanism to direct light emission and control units for adjusting light intensity and wavelength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional overhead surgical lights and loupes are used, then the surgical field is illuminated, but tissue types and transition points cannot be easily distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional illumination approach by placing the light source behind the tissue rather than in front of it. This back-illumination technique allows light to pass through the translucent tissue, revealing subtle differences in tissue types, transition points, and structures that are invisible under conventional overhead lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes different wavelengths and colors of light to enhance tissue differentiation. By employing multi-wavelength illumination and analyzing how different tissue types transmit or absorb specific light wavelengths, the system reveals tissue characteristics that are imperceptible under standard white light illumination.
2Loss of information
If a light source is deployed within a body cavity, then tissue transmissibility and internal structures become visible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is designed to perform multiple functions: providing back-illumination for tissue visualization, positioning itself within the body cavity using a positioning mechanism, and potentially integrating with surgical instruments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall surgical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a positioning mechanism as an intermediary component that enables the light source to be accurately placed within the body cavity without requiring complex surgical procedures. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the deployment process and reduces the complexity of integrating the illumination system into the surgical workflow.
3Loss of information
If multiple light emitters are used to illuminate different tissue areas, then comprehensive tissue visualization is achieved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic or sequential activation of multiple light emitters rather than continuous operation of all emitters simultaneously. By activating emitters in sequences or cycles, the system achieves comprehensive tissue coverage while significantly reducing overall power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system activates only the necessary number of light emitters based on the specific surgical requirements and tissue areas being examined. Rather than operating all emitters at full capacity continuously, the system uses partial action to provide sufficient illumination only where needed, optimizing energy efficiency.
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 visualization of tissue types, transition locations, and internal structures by exploiting the translucent nature of tissues, improving surgical precision and accuracy by revealing properties that are difficult to discern with conventional illumination methods.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one light emitter may include chemiluminescent sources, light emitting diodes, electroluminescent wires, solid state lasers, or fiber optic cables
Implementation Method 2
distinguishing between types of tissue during surgery... by light transmissibility... exploiting the translucent nature of tissues
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the tissue illumination systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein take advantage of the translucent nature of tissue to reveal properties by light transmission, for example, tissue type, tissue transition locations, underlying structures, and the like, that are not easily distinguished by reflected light. Illuminating a back-side of a translucent tissue permits a user to distinguish between different types of tissue, tissue transition locations, and/or structures that are difficult or impossible to discern under overhead or front-side illumination. Implementations include a light source that is positionable behind a tissue or disposable within a body cavity or duct, for example, within a heart ventricle.