Surgical Energy Control Using Image-Based Incision Completion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment systems rely on manual visual confirmation by operators to determine the completion of tissue incision, leading to potential time lags and unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system that includes an imaging device to capture images during energy application, with a control device processing these images to calculate temporal changes in the tissue, determining incision completion based on movement patterns and automatically stopping energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual visual confirmation by operator is used to determine incision completion, then the system is simple to operate, but the incision completion determination has time lag and causes unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual confirmation mechanism with an automated image processing system. The control device acquires captured images from the imaging device, calculates temporal change amounts based on treatment instrument movement relative to predetermined points or areas in the images, and automatically determines incision completion. This substitutes the operator's visual inspection with an automated computational system, reducing time lag and enabling precise control of power supply timing.
2Loss of energy
If manual visual confirmation by operator is used to determine incision completion, then the device complexity is low, but the power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the control device continuously monitors captured images during treatment energy application, calculates temporal change amounts of the living tissue based on treatment instrument movement, and uses this feedback to automatically determine incision completion. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of power supply timing, stopping power supply exactly when incision is complete rather than continuing until manual observation confirms completion, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-control functions through automated image processing. The control device independently analyzes the captured images, calculates temporal changes, determines incision completion status, and controls power supply without requiring continuous operator intervention. This self-service capability reduces both power consumption and operational complexity.
3Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented to determine incision completion, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it acquires captured images from the imaging device, calculates temporal change amounts based on treatment instrument movement relative to predetermined points or areas in the images, determines incision completion status, and controls power supply to the treatment instrument. By consolidating these functions into a single control device, the system improves productivity while managing complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment system that includes a treatment instrument to apply a treatment energy to a living tissue from an end effector according to a supplied electric power to incise the living tissue, an imaging device to generate a captured image capturing a state in which the treatment energy is applied from the end effector to the living tissue, and a control device that includes a processor to control operation of the imaging device. The processor acquires the captured image, calculates a temporal change amount based on any one of a predetermined point and a predetermined area in the captured image as a determination value, determines whether incision of the living tissue has been completed based on the determination value, and in response to determining that incision of the living tissue has been completed, execute an instruction to stop supply of the electric power to the treatment instrument.