Hospital Surgical Instrument Tracking Through Image Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EMR systems in hospitals suffer from errors and omissions in managing surgical instruments, leading to delays and increased costs due to the manual and time-consuming process of selecting and recording instrument usage, especially with diverse surgical operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatically managing surgical instrument histories using a storage processing unit, surgical instrument request processing unit, recognition processing unit, cleaning unit, packaging unit, invoice processing unit, release processing unit, and inventory information processing unit, which includes image recognition and ultrasonic cleaning, to ensure accurate and efficient tracking and preparation of surgical instruments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual selection and recording of surgical instruments is used, then medical staff can control the process, but errors and omissions occur frequently and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of surgical instrument managementVSAvoidtime for selecting and recording instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical selection process with an automated image recognition system. The camera captures images of surgical instruments, and computer vision algorithms automatically identify and record the instruments, eliminating the need for manual selection and recording by medical staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical instruments themselves provide identification information through visible markers or codes that the system can automatically detect. The instruments essentially identify themselves through their visual characteristics, reducing the need for human intervention in the identification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection of surgical instruments is used, then flexibility in handling diverse instrument types is maintained, but errors and omissions increase with diverse surgical operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle diverse surgical instrument typesVSAvoidaccuracy of surgical instrument recording

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal image recognition system that can identify various types of surgical instruments using the same technological approach. The system handles diverse instrument types, diverse surgical operations, and diverse identification markers through a single multi-functional platform, maintaining adaptability while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated image recognition is used, then accuracy and efficiency of surgical instrument tracking improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of surgical instrument managementVSAvoidcomplexity of automated recognition system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the camera and the final identification result. This includes image preprocessing steps, feature extraction modules, and pattern recognition algorithms that simplify the overall system architecture and make it more manageable despite the automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system provides automated and accurate management of surgical instruments, reducing errors and omissions, ensuring timely preparation and reducing costs by streamlining the surgical instrument management process.

Implementation Method 1

a surgical instrument cleaning unit configured to firstly clean the surgical instruments immersed in a cleaning solution or distilled water with ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic cleaning: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250285748A1System and method for managing hospital surgical instruments

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 CHO SHIN HWAN

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system and method for managing hospital surgical instruments, wherein the system for managing hospital surgical instruments, according to the present invention, can automatically manage all histories of surgical instruments used in a hospital wherein the surgical instruments are stored in a hospital storage room, the surgical instruments and the quantity thereof are checked before the release thereof is prepared according to surgical instrument request information, the release of the surgical instruments is on standby, and the surgical instruments are released to a hospital department or operating room and used for surgery.