Endoscopic Guide With Multiple Imagers For Brain Surgery Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic endoscopic systems face challenges in providing adequate visualization and tissue support during brain surgery, particularly in confined spaces where traditional endoscopic cameras have limited field of view and are prone to visual blockage by tissue intrusion.
Innovation Solution
The development of an endoscopic guide for brain surgery that includes a body with a distal opening, a tool lumen for transferring surgical tools, and at least two distal-facing imagers with separate imaging optics and detectors, positioned to provide a wide field of view (at least 70°) and minimize tissue ingress through a tissue support mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single endoscopic camera is used, then the device structure is simple, but the field of view is limited and visual blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple separate imagers (at least two distal-facing imagers with separate imaging optics and detectors) positioned at different circumferential locations. Each imager captures a portion of the surgical site, and their combined fields of view provide comprehensive visualization that eliminates blind spots and reduces visual blockage, directly resolving the contradiction between limited FOV and device complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional endoscopic cameras are used, then the device is simple, but tissue intrusion blocks the visual field
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue support mechanism is deployed in advance to maintain the patency of the body lumen before surgical tools and tissue are inserted. By pre-establishing the structural integrity of the lumen, the system prevents tissue intrusion that would otherwise block the visual field of the distal-facing imagers, ensuring reliable visualization throughout the procedure.
3Loss of information
If multiple imagers are added to expand field of view, then visualization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distal-facing imagers into a single integrated endoscopic guide body, where their individual fields of view overlap and merge to provide comprehensive coverage of the surgical site. This merging approach ensures complete visual information coverage without requiring separate devices, thereby improving visualization while controlling overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to facilitate visual and tool access within a volume reached by an endoscopic tool inserted into brain tissue. Cameras are placed in various locations distal to and/or proximal to the volume, and in some cases are repositionable. Provision of different viewing angles helps to maintain close visual monitoring of surgical progress. Retractor and scaffolding are used, in some embodiments, to open and/or maintain opening of a working volume, particularly a working volume from which material is being removed, and which may be prone to partial collapse as surrounding tissue pushes inward into the evacuated area. Working channels are reconfigurable by use of inner and outer parts, and working channels may be shaped to allow simultaneous use by a plurality of tools and/or supports.