Minimally Invasive 3D Sensor for Body Cavity Surface Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for 3D surface determination within body cavities during minimally invasive surgery are complex, costly, and may cause discomfort or injury to patients.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmitter device with a penetrator member and a structured lighting member is used to project a diverging light pattern within the body cavity, enhancing 3D surface determination with minimal discomfort and injury to the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex optical systems are used for 3D surface determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the 3D measurement function into separate components: a penetrator member for light delivery and a detector for light reception. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrator member acts as an intermediary that delivers structured light patterns to the body cavity surfaces. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall optical system by using a direct light delivery mechanism rather than complex imaging optics.
2Measurement precision
If CT scans are used to obtain 3D surface data, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system projects structured light patterns onto the body cavity surfaces during surgery to obtain real-time 3D surface data. This preliminary action during the surgical procedure eliminates the need for separate preoperative CT scanning, saving time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector captures reflected light patterns periodically to continuously update 3D surface measurements during the surgical procedure, providing real-time data without requiring time-consuming CT scans.
3Ease of operation
If traditional laparoscope is used for visualization, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the visualization function of the laparoscope with the 3D measurement function by integrating the detector that captures both visual images and reflected structured light patterns. This combination maintains ease of operation while enabling precise 3D surface measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector serves multiple functions: visualizing the surgical site and measuring 3D surface geometry. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement devices, maintaining operational simplicity while providing precise measurements.
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
The device provides a simple, cost-effective, and minimally invasive method for precise 3D surface determination within body cavities, improving surgical accuracy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The projector is disposed at the distal portion of the penetrator member and is configured for projecting a diverging light pattern
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2d
Figure 3
AI summary
A 3D sensor system comprises an optical transmitter device including a projector probe suitable for emitting light within a body cavity, a detector and a computer system. The optical transmitter device comprises an elongate penetrator member for penetrating through mammal skin and having a distal portion including a penetrator tip. The optical transmitter device also comprises a structured lightning member including a projector probe, which comprises a light source for delivering light to a projector through an optical fibre and a beam expanding lens. The projector is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate penetrator member and is configured for projecting a diverging light pattern. The detector receives the reflected light of the projected light pattern from a surface area within the body cavity. A computer system controls both the optical transmitter device and the detector and calculates data representing a 3D surface contour of the surface area.