Configurable Fluorescence Imaging Platform for Multi-Surgery Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraoperative fluorescence imaging devices are limited by their specificity to particular surgical applications, often requiring multiple devices for different surgeries and struggling to efficiently detect multiple fluorescence excitation and emission wavebands, leading to compromised performance, functionality, and ergonomics.

Innovation Solution

A configurable fluorescence imaging system that includes a white light provider, an excitation light provider emitting non-overlapping excitation wavebands, an interchangeable surgery-specific component, and a filter to block excitation wavebands while transmitting reflected white and fluorescent light, allowing for versatile surgical applications with improved performance and ergonomics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized fluorescence imaging devices are purchased to serve varied surgical needs, then fluorescence imaging capabilities across different surgical applications are achieved, but substantial investment cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluorescence imaging capabilities across different surgical applicationsVSAvoidnumber of specialized imaging devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is designed with a universal platform that can perform multiple fluorescence imaging functions across different surgical applications. The system includes interchangeable components (endoscopic component, exoscopic component, microscope component) that allow a single device to serve various surgical needs including laparoscopy, arthroscopy, microsurgery, and open surgery, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device is divided into modular interchangeable components including an endoscopic component, an exoscopic component, and a microscope component. These segmented modules can be swapped based on the specific surgical application, allowing the system to adapt to different procedures while maintaining a single core platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If fluorescence imaging devices are adapted for different surgical applications by combining components, then versatility is improved, but performance, functionality and ergonomics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluorescence imaging for different surgeriesVSAvoidperformance and functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamically interchangeable components that can be swapped based on the surgical application. The interchangeable component is designed to interface with a standardized mounting interface on the imaging device, allowing dynamic reconfiguration without compromising the core imaging performance or functionality. Each interchangeable component is engineered to maintain optical alignment and system integration standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras are used to detect multiple fluorescence emission wavebands, then detection capability is improved, but device size and ergonomics become too large and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of multiple fluorescence emission wavebandsVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple fluorescence detection capabilities into a single camera through the use of interchangeable filter wheels. Each filter wheel contains multiple waveband-specific filters that can be rotated into position to select different fluorescence emission wavebands for detection. This combining approach allows multi-spectral fluorescence imaging without requiring multiple separate camera systems, thereby maintaining compact device size and acceptable ergonomics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables broad-range fluorescence imaging across various surgical applications with enhanced performance and ergonomics by allowing multiple excitation wavebands to be detected with a single device, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation light provider that emits excitation light in a plurality of non-overlapping excitation wavebands for causing the object to emit fluorescent light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a filter that blocks substantially all light in the excitation wavebands and transmits at least a substantial portion of the reflected white light and fluorescent light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240366089A1Configurable platform

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

Provided herein are systems for fluorescence imaging of an object and methods of use thereof, the systems comprising: an image sensor assembly comprising at least one image sensor; and an optical assembly configured to transmit light emitted from the object to the image sensor assembly, the optical assembly comprising at least one notch filter configured to block light in a plurality of fluorescence excitation wavebands while transmitting fluorescence light that is emitted from the object, wherein the optical assembly is configured to project the emitted fluorescence light as one or more fluorescence images onto the at least one image sensor of the image sensor assembly.