Camera Boom and Prism Assembly for Lumbar Interbody Fusion Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive spine surgery, particularly for lumbar interbody fusion, faces challenges in visualization due to the distance of surgical instruments from the surgical opening, limiting the view of the surgical field and requiring uncomfortable postures or the use of endoscopes that occupy valuable space and restrict the field of view.
Innovation Solution
The development of bladed retractors with a camera assembly at the proximal end, featuring optical components like lenses and prisms, which can be moved or tilted for improved visualization, and a camera boom allowing translation and rotation to align the viewing axis with the surgical workspace, enabling better visualization of the surgical site deep within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a surgical loop or microscope is used for visualization, then the surgical field can be viewed, but the surgeon must maintain an uncomfortable posture and the instruments are disposed at a distance from the surgical opening
Solution Approach 1:
A camera system is introduced as an intermediary between the surgical field and the surgeon's view. The camera is positioned at the proximal end of the retractor system, capturing images of the distal surgical field and transmitting them to a display screen, eliminating the need for the surgeon to look through a loop or microscope while maintaining an uncomfortable posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical field is copied optically through the use of a camera that captures images at the distal end of the retractor and displays them on a screen. This optical copy allows the surgeon to view the surgical field without being physically positioned in an uncomfortable posture near the surgical site.
2Loss of information
If an endoscope is disposed within the channel established by retractor blades, then visualization of the surgical field can be obtained, but the endoscope takes up valuable space within the channel and does not provide a view of tool tips
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system utilizes the proximal dimension of the retractor structure rather than occupying the distal surgical channel. By positioning the camera at the proximal end of the retractor blades and using optical elements to view through or alongside the blades, the system provides visualization without consuming valuable distal surgical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary positioned outside the surgical channel, capturing images of the surgical field through optical elements attached to the retractor structure. This eliminates the need to insert an endoscope within the channel, preserving full surgical workspace.
3Loss of information
If the endoscope is placed close to the surgical field, then better visualization can be obtained, but the field of view may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is made dynamically adjustable through the camera boom mechanism that allows translation of the camera on 2 or 3 axes and rotation to align the viewing axis with the surgical workspace. This dynamic positioning capability enables the camera to adapt to different surgical field requirements and maintain optimal field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical assembly including lens and prism can be moved along the length of the retractor blade or tilted over the opening, providing periodic adjustment of the viewing angle and position to optimize the field of view for different surgical conditions.
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
This solution provides enhanced lateral surgical access and visualization, allowing surgeons to perform procedures with improved visibility and comfort by displaying images on a screen, reducing the need for uncomfortable postures and optimizing the use of surgical space.
Implementation Method 1
an optical assembly including a lens and a prism, disposed on one of the retractor blades
Implementation Method 2
an optical assembly including a lens and a prism
Data Source
AI summary
A camera and expandable bladed retractor system. The system includes a camera, with a distal-most optical element disposed over the proximal end of the lumen or surgical channel established by the retractor blades. The camera may be fixed to the retractor, either to the proximal end of a blade or to a frame member.