Camera Positioning Linkages for Surgical Imaging Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera positioning systems for medical procedures within body cavies lack precise and flexible mechanisms for optimal image capture, particularly during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, as they often require complex manual alignment and do not accommodate the need for varied angles and movements within confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A robotic surgical apparatus featuring an insertion tube with connected linkages and drive shafts, including panning, elevating, and tilt linkages, actuated by threaded actuators and drive couplers, allowing for precise positioning and movement of a camera within a body cavity, enabling side-to-side motion, elevation, and tilting, while accommodating bending and rotation for improved access and image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment is used for camera positioning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with an automated robotic positioning system that uses drive shafts, threaded actuators, and connected linkages to automatically position the camera. This mechanical substitution enables precise positioning without requiring complex manual alignment procedures by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism incorporates multiple degrees of freedom with connected linkages that can dynamically adjust the camera's position and orientation. The system includes panning, elevating, and tilting capabilities that allow flexible positioning within the body cavity, adapting to different surgical requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed camera position is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to various surgical angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera positioning system employs dynamic linkages with multiple degrees of freedom including panning, elevating, and tilting mechanisms. These connected linkages allow the camera to adapt to various surgical angles and positions within the body cavity, providing versatility for different surgical procedures and viewpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism is divided into separate functional linkages (panning linkage, elevating linkage, tilt linkage), each responsible for a specific degree of freedom. This segmentation allows independent control of each movement axis, enhancing adaptability while managing system complexity through modular design.
3Volume of moving object
If miniaturized camera is used, then the access to body cavity is improved, but the heat management of electronic components becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic components (illumination source, image sensor, processing electronics) from the main camera body and positions them in separate locations within the insertion tube. The illumination source is positioned at the distal end while the image sensor and electronics are positioned more proximally, separating heat-generating components to improve thermal management in the miniaturized system.
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
Facilitates precise and flexible camera positioning within body cavities, enhancing image capture capabilities during medical procedures by allowing for various angles and movements, reducing the need for complex manual alignment and improving access through miniaturization and heat management of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
each linkage having a threaded actuator received on a threaded end of a drive shaft extending between the threaded actuator and a proximal end of the insertion tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for positioning a camera to capture images inside a body cavity of a patient during a medical procedure is disclosed. The apparatus includes an insertion tube, a plurality of connected linkages extending from a distal end of the insertion tube, each linkage having a threaded actuator received on a threaded end of a drive shaft extending between the threaded actuator and a proximal end of the insertion tube. The apparatus also includes a camera disposed at a distal end of the plurality of connected linkages. Each connected linkage has at least one associated movement actuated by movement of the threaded actuator in response to rotation of the drive shaft, the associated movements of the connected linkages together operable to facilitate positioning of the camera within the body cavity of the patient.