Coordinated Endoscopic Instrument Control With Dual-Scope Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical imaging systems struggle to recognize and convey critical anatomical structures and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, leading to incomplete views and uncertain decision-making during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a first and second scope device, tracking devices, and a controller that coordinate the movement of surgical instruments based on relative distances and orientations, enhancing visualization and control through combined image data and tracking signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single imaging system is used to view the surgical site, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot recognize or convey concealed structures, physical contours, and three-dimensional dimensions within the surgical space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging systems (endoscopic camera inside the organ and laparoscopic camera outside the organ) into a single integrated surgical system. The controller merges images from both cameras and overlays them to create a composite view that displays both internal and external anatomical structures simultaneously, thereby capturing concealed three-dimensional information without requiring separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat images to three-dimensional spatial awareness by using stereoscopic imaging capabilities and depth mapping algorithms. The system processes images from multiple angles and depths to reconstruct and display three-dimensional anatomical structures, allowing surgeons to perceive concealed spatial relationships and dimensions that cannot be obtained from single-plane imaging
2Loss of information
If multiple scope devices are used to capture different scenes, then more complete anatomical information is obtained, but the system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates tracking devices that continuously monitor the positions and orientations of multiple scope devices and surgical instruments. This real-time feedback information is processed by the controller to dynamically adjust and coordinate the multiple cameras, ensuring they maintain proper spatial relationships and capture the correct anatomical structures throughout the surgical procedure without requiring manual coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary that receives images from multiple scope devices, processes their spatial relationships using tracking data, and automatically coordinates their operation. The controller acts as a central mediator that simplifies the complexity of managing multiple devices by handling the coordination logic, allowing surgeons to operate the system as a unified whole rather than managing each device separately
3Measurement precision
If manual coordination of multiple instruments is used, then the system is simpler, but surgical precision and safety are reduced due to inability to maintain accurate relative distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical coordination of multiple instruments with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, tracking devices, and computer processing. The controller electronically calculates real-time spatial relationships between instruments based on tracking data and automatically adjusts their coordination, providing precise measurement of relative distances without requiring manual measurement or estimation by the surgeon
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical systems for operating endoscopically and laparoscopically are provided. The surgical system includes a first scope device configured to transmit image data of a first scene. A second scope device is configured to transmit image data of a second scene. A tracking device associated with the first or second scope device and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a location of the first or second scope device. A first surgical instrument is configured to interact with an internal side of a target tissue structure. A second surgical instrument is configured to interact an external side of the target tissue structure. A controller is configured to receive (i) the transmitted image data and transmitted signal (ii) to determine a first relative distance, a second relative distance, and a third relative distance. Relative movements of the instruments are coordinated based on the determined relative distances.