Integrated Surgical Device Minimizing Setup Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image guided surgery systems require large, separate devices that occupy significant space in the operating theater, necessitate complex setup, and disrupt the surgeon's line of sight, as they need to be arranged to ensure proper functioning and visibility while also providing navigational assistance.

Innovation Solution

An integrated, portable unit combining the surgical instrument, tracking system, and medical navigation system, where the tracking sensor and display are integrated within a single, handheld device, allowing for easy setup and use, with the display located near the instrument to maintain focus on the surgical site and reduce setup complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate devices are used for surgical instrument, tracking system, and navigation system, then each component can be optimized independently, but the system occupies significant space and requires complex setup

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent component optimizationVSAvoidSetup complexity and space requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surgical instrument, tracking system with sensor, and navigation system with display into a single integrated portable unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices and complex setup procedures while maintaining all necessary functions. The integrated design allows the system to be easily transported between operating theaters and deployed without extensive configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a surgical instrument, contains tracking sensors for locating objects, processes navigation data, and provides visual feedback through a display. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple separate devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining independent optimization capabilities through modular internal design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If large separate devices are used, then navigation and tracking functions can be provided, but they disrupt the surgeon's line of sight and require special arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNavigation and tracking functionalityVSAvoidSurgeon's line of sight and workflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is positioned in a location that does not obstruct the surgeon's view of the surgical site, utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions. The portable unit can be placed at an angle or position where the display faces the surgeon from the side or above, allowing simultaneous viewing of both the surgical field and navigation information without blocking the primary line of sight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated portable unit serves as an intermediary device that brings navigation and tracking information directly to the surgical field without requiring separate large equipment. The compact display and sensor system mediate between the surgical instrument and the navigation system, providing real-time feedback in a space-efficient manner that does not interfere with the surgeon's workflow or visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used, then each can perform its specific function, but the system requires significant space and special arrangement in the operating theater

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComponent functionalityVSAvoidSpace occupation in operating theater
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the surgical instrument, tracking system with sensor, and navigation system with display into a single portable unit, dramatically reducing the space required in the operating theater. This merging maintains all necessary component functionalities while consolidating them into a compact form factor that can be easily positioned without requiring extensive spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If separate devices are used, then each component can be optimized for its specific task, but setup and arrangement require significant time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComponent performanceVSAvoidSetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system components are pre-integrated into a single portable unit during manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming setup and arrangement procedures in the operating theater. The pre-assembled unit requires minimal configuration upon deployment, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining the performance optimization of each internal component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2467080B1Integrated surgical device combining instrument, tracking system and navigation system
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 BRAINLAB AG
  • EP2467080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2467080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an image guided surgery system comprising -a surgical instrument (14), -a tracking system for locating and tracking an object (20) in a surgical environment, the tracking system including a tracking sensor system, in particular a tracking camera system (16); and -a medical navigation system (15) processing tracking data from the tracking system and image data of the object (20), and outputting image data and navigational assistance on a display (13). The instrument (14), the tracking system including the sensor system (16) and the medical navigation system including the display are integrated in one single portable unit (10), or the instrument (14) and the medical navigation system including the display are integrated in one single portable unit (10), while at least the sensor system (34) of the tracking system is arranged at a location near a region of interest determined by the object (20) and the field of surgery.