Image-Based Surgical Instrument Tracking for Tray Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient method to ensure the correct application of medical instruments during surgical procedures, particularly in navigation systems and augmented reality environments, without requiring invasive steps or professional medical expertise.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using image processing to identify medical instruments by comparing digital images of instrument trays and instruments, determining their relative positions, and transmitting identification information to a medical computing system, utilizing cameras and computer processors to track instrument usage and identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image processing methods are used to identify medical instruments, then instrument identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital images (optical copies) of medical instruments instead of physical handling or invasive identification methods. The system captures images of instruments in the tray and uses image processing to extract identification features, replacing complex physical verification procedures with visual documentation and computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual instrument identification methods with optical imaging and computer vision algorithms. Instead of physically examining instruments or using complex mechanical tracking systems, the solution uses cameras to capture images and processes them computationally to identify instruments based on their visual characteristics.
2Productivity
If automated instrument tracking is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-identification of instruments through image processing. Instruments are automatically detected, tracked, and identified based on their visual features without requiring manual intervention or complex external tracking infrastructure. The tray and instruments essentially identify themselves through their visual appearance in captured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures images for documentation, extracts identification features, tracks instrument positions, and verifies instrument presence. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems into a single integrated solution.
3Measurement precision
If detailed image analysis is performed to verify instrument identity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image capture and analysis during instrument tray setup and before procedures begin. Instruments are pre-identified and registered in the system ahead of time, so that during the actual procedure, verification is faster since the baseline data is already processed and stored for comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses characteristic geometric features such as envelope aspect ratios and key visual landmarks for identification rather than analyzing every pixel or detail of each instrument image. This partial analysis approach captures sufficient information for accurate identification while significantly reducing computational time compared to exhaustive image processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of transmitting identification information of a medical instrument. The method encompasses comparing a digital image of an instrument tray and an instrument to a digital image of just the instrument tray to determine the identity of the instrument. A characteristic geometry such as its envelope is assigned to the instrument, and a characteristic quantity of the envelope such as its aspect ratio may be used to identify the instrument. Based on determining, from the image of the instrument and the instrument tray, the relative position between those two entities, the method determines whether the instrument has been taken from the instrument tray, and accordingly instructs a medical computing system about this determination. The medical computing system may then determine whether the correct instrument has been taken from the instrument has been taken from the instrument tray, for example by comparison with medical procedure planning data.