Hand-Mounted Fluorescence Surgical Tool With Non-Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical tools require manual handling, which disrupts the surgeon's ability to maintain focus on regions of interest, and biocompatible fluorescent dyes are difficult to use in open surgical procedures due to limitations in visual feedback and detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A hand-mounted surgical tool with an optical source and detector, providing non-visual feedback such as audio cues, allowing surgeons to maintain focus on anatomical features and enabling precise identification and manipulation in small areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical tools are used requiring manual handling, then the surgeon can perform surgical operations, but the surgeon loses focus on regions of interest when moving hands to pick up cutting instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical detection device with the surgical tool into a single integrated hand-mounted apparatus. The optical source, optical detector, and feedback device are merged into one compact unit that the surgeon wears on their hand, eliminating the need to separately handle detection and surgical instruments. This integration allows the surgeon to maintain continuous focus on anatomical features while performing surgical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-mounted surgical tool provides self-service by delivering real-time non-visual feedback (audio or haptic) directly to the surgeon's hand-mounted device. The system automatically detects anatomical features and provides feedback without requiring the surgeon to visually monitor a separate display, enabling continuous visual attention on the surgical site while receiving operational guidance through the mounted device.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cutting instruments are used, then surgical operations can be performed, but the instruments cannot be maneuvered into small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool is segmented into compact, modular components including the optical source, optical detector, and feedback device, all integrated into a small hand-mounted unit. This segmentation allows the instrument to be maneuvered into confined surgical spaces while maintaining the functional capabilities of optical detection and feedback provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional visual feedback through large external displays to a hand-mounted dimension that provides feedback directly at the surgeon's operating location. This dimensional change from remote visual monitoring to local tactile/audio feedback enables access to small areas while providing continuous operational guidance.
3Measurement precision
If biocompatible fluorescent dyes with optical devices are used, then anatomical features can be identified, but the microscope/camera cannot be navigated into small incisions or under tissue/organs
Solution Approach 1:
The optical source and optical detector are merged into a single hand-mounted surgical tool that can be inserted into small incisions. This integrated design maintains the fluorescent dye detection capability while eliminating the need for large external microscopes or cameras, enabling anatomical feature identification within confined surgical spaces.
4Measurement precision
If conventional visual feedback through large microscope/camera is used, then anatomical features can be identified, but the surgeon must look away from the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual feedback system (large microscope/camera requiring visual attention) with an acoustic or haptic feedback system delivered through the hand-mounted device. This substitution allows the surgeon to maintain visual focus on the surgical site while receiving anatomical feature identification feedback through sound or vibration from the mounted instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-mounted surgical tool acts as an intermediary between the fluorescent dye-marked anatomical features and the surgeon. Instead of requiring direct visual observation through large optical devices, the intermediary device detects the fluorescent signal and translates it into non-visual feedback (audio or haptic), enabling the surgeon to identify anatomical features while maintaining visual attention on the surgical site.
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 precise identification and manipulation of anatomical features without losing focus, enhancing surgical precision and safety by providing real-time, non-visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
an optical source coupled to the housing and configured to generate a first optical signal in an absorption spectrum of a biocompatible fluorescing dye (BFD)
Implementation Method 2
an optical detector coupled to the housing and configured to detect a second optical signal in an emission spectrum of the BFD
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing hand-mounted surgical tools is provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to be mounted to a body of a user. The apparatus also includes an optical source to generate a first optical signal in an absorption spectrum of a biocompatible fluorescing dye (BFD). The apparatus also includes an optical detector to detect a second optical signal in an emission spectrum of the BFD. The apparatus also includes a processor to receive a signal from the optical detector that indicates that the second optical signal was detected by the optical detector. The processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to transmit a signal to a non-visual feedback device to cause the non-visual feedback device to output non-visual feedback to the user that the second optical signal was detected by the optical detector.