Electrocautery Arc Detection Camera with Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
During minimally invasive surgical procedures, unintended electrocautery arcing can occur due to reduced visualization of the surgical site, making it difficult to detect thermal damage caused by electrical energy discharge from surgical instruments, which may result in tissue damage and complications.
Innovation Solution
An electrocautery arc detection system that includes an arc detection camera with a wider field-of-view than the surgical camera, capable of monitoring thermal infrared emission or tissue color changes, allowing for the detection of arcing events outside the typical surgical view, and an image processing controller to identify and alert healthcare providers of potential thermal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional surgical camera with narrow field-of-view is used to visualize the surgical site, then detailed visualization of the treatment area is achieved, but unintended electrocautery arcing from portions of surgical instruments or cameras becomes visually undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into two separate camera systems: a surgical camera optimized for viewing the treatment site and an arc detection camera optimized for detecting electrocautery arcs. Each camera operates independently with specialized capabilities, allowing simultaneous detailed surgical visualization and comprehensive arc detection without interference between functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc detection camera serves multiple purposes: it monitors for electrocautery arcs, provides alternative visualization angles, and can detect thermal infrared emission or tissue color changes. This multi-functional approach allows one system to address both the limitation of narrow surgical view and the need for arc detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the access points size is reduced to minimize invasiveness, then less injury to tissue and quicker recovery are achieved, but visualization of the surgical site and detection of arcing events become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The arc detection camera is positioned to provide a different spatial perspective than the surgical camera, viewing the surgical site from an alternative angle and dimension. This dimensional change allows the system to detect arcs on instrument portions that are invisible from the conventional surgical view, compensating for the limited access point size.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc detection camera acts as an intermediary monitoring system that indirectly detects electrocautery arcs by observing thermal infrared emission or tissue color changes, rather than requiring direct visual inspection of all instrument surfaces through the limited access point.
3Power
If electrocautery instruments are used to treat tissue with heat produced by electrical energy, then effective tissue treatment is achieved, but unintentional current leakage and electrocautery arcing may occur causing thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The arc detection camera provides real-time feedback about the presence of electrocautery arcs, enabling the surgical system to respond to and correct harmful arcing events. This feedback loop allows continuous monitoring and immediate intervention to prevent thermal damage while maintaining effective electrocautery treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary detection and alerting mechanisms that warn of potential arcing events before they cause significant thermal damage. By detecting arcs early through thermal infrared emission or color changes, the system can take preventive action to eliminate the harmful effect before it results in tissue injury.
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
Enhances the ability to detect and alert healthcare providers of unintended electrocautery arcing, reducing the risk of thermal tissue damage and improving surgical safety by providing a broader visual coverage of surgical tools and potential arc locations beyond the conventional surgical camera's field-of-view.
Implementation Method 1
an electrocautery arc detection system for detecting thermal infrared emission or tissue color changes
Implementation Method 2
As electrical current is conducted through the tissue, the target tissue temperature rises, ultimately causing desiccation, cutting, cauterization, and/or coagulation of the target tissue
Implementation Method 3
As electrical current is conducted through the tissue
Implementation Method 4
an electrocautery arc detection system for detecting thermal infrared emission or tissue color changes
Data Source
AI summary
An arc-detection system for detecting an arc during an electrocautery surgical procedure may comprise a camera portion and an image processing controller portion. The camera portion may be sized for minimally invasive penetration into a patient's body. The camera portion may comprise a wide-angle lens having a field of view wider than 45 degrees and wider than a field of view of a conventional endoscopic camera system. The image processing controller portion may be configured to monitor images captured by the camera portion and configured to detect thermal changes to tissue at the surgical site.