Hemispherical Optical Bulb for Minimally Invasive Surgical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging solutions for minimally invasive procedures are hindered by the need for separate imaging channels, which increase instrument guide diameter, cost, and expose optical systems to body fluids, leading to clarity issues and infection risks, and suffer from image distortion.
Innovation Solution
An optical bulb with a hemispherical distal end and integrated imaging channel, featuring a light source outside the channel, reduces reflections and provides a uniform image path, maintaining a fluid-tight seal and clear imaging despite bodily fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate imaging channel is added to the instrument guide, then imaging capability is improved, but the instrument guide diameter increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging channel with the instrument guide by integrating the optical system directly into the instrument guide structure. The optical bulb is positioned within the instrument guide, and the imaging channel shares the same physical space as the instrument channel, eliminating the need for a separate imaging channel and reducing the overall diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is nested within the instrument guide structure. The optical bulb is positioned inside the instrument guide, and the imaging channel is arranged concentrically with the instrument channel, allowing the imaging functionality to be contained within the existing instrument guide diameter.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the secondary optical system is placed next to the instrument guide, then imaging capability is improved, but the optical system is exposed to body fluids causing clarity degradation and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is extracted from the external environment and placed entirely within the sterile field of the instrument guide. The optical bulb and imaging channel are positioned inside the instrument guide, which maintains a fluid-tight seal, preventing exposure to body fluids while maintaining imaging capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current surgical imaging solutions are used in environments with body fluids, then imaging is attempted, but image quality degrades due to optical interference from blood and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the harmful effect of body fluids by designing the optical system to be entirely contained within the sterile instrument guide, converting the potential harm of fluid exposure into a protected imaging environment. The fluid-tight seal of the instrument guide prevents blood and contaminants from reaching the optical components, maintaining image quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging channel is positioned to capture surgical site, then imaging coverage is improved, but image distortion occurs due to non-uniform light paths
Solution Approach 1:
The optical bulb features a hemispherical distal end that creates uniform light paths in all directions. This spherical geometry ensures that light travels equal distances from the bulb to the surgical site regardless of the angle, eliminating image distortion while maintaining comprehensive imaging coverage.
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 high-quality, distortion-free imaging during surgeries by minimizing reflections and fluid exposure, ensuring effective surgical guidance with reduced infection risk.
Implementation Method 1
the substantially hemispherical distal end of the imaging channel is configured to refract light passing out of the imaging channel towards the instrument channel
Implementation Method 2
the substantially hemispherical distal end of the imaging channel eliminates a total internal reflection of light at a wall of the instrument channel
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An optical bulb for a medical device includes first and second bodies. The first body has a substantially hemispherical distal side. The second body extends from the first body and includes a mechanical connection point at or near the proximal side of the second body. An instrument channel extends through the optical bulb from the proximal side of the second body to the distal side of the first body. An imaging channel extends an aperture defined in the proximal side of the second body and terminates between the proximal and substantially hemispherical distal sides of the first body. The distal end of the imaging channel is substantially hemispherical. The first body is configured and arranged to provide a substantially uniform image path within a field of view of a camera disposed in the imaging channel.