Laparoscopic Camera Module Mode Switching via Magnetic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical robotic systems face challenges with heat generation and bandwidth consumption, leading to reduced life expectancy and increased risk of system failure, while recorded surgical videos require significant memory and bandwidth, posing privacy concerns due to high-resolution recordings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating magnetic and photo-electric sensors into laparoscopic systems to switch between modes of operation, reducing power consumption and bandwidth usage by only recording or transmitting relevant data when the camera is within the surgical site, using a magnet or light sensor to trigger mode changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If high-definition surgical video is recorded continuously, then complete surgical data is captured, but memory consumption and processing power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the laparoscope's insertion into the surgical site through magnetic or photoelectric sensors before continuous high-definition recording begins. This preliminary detection triggers the recording mode, ensuring that only relevant surgical data is captured in high definition, thereby reducing overall processing power consumption while maintaining data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the laparoscope's position. The system switches between different recording modes (continuous high-definition, intermittent, or off) depending on whether the laparoscope is detected inside or outside the surgical site, optimizing the balance between data capture completeness and energy consumption.
2Loss of information
If continuous high-resolution video transmission is performed, then complete surgical footage is transmitted, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses magnetic sensors or photoelectric sensors to detect the laparoscope's position as a preliminary action before initiating continuous high-resolution video transmission. This ensures that bandwidth-intensive transmission occurs only when the laparoscope is within the surgical site, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining transmission completeness for all relevant surgical footage.
Solution Approach 2:
The video transmission system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of the laparoscope's position. Transmission modes switch between continuous high-resolution, intermittent, or stopped based on whether the laparoscope is inside or outside the surgical site, optimizing the balance between transmission completeness and bandwidth energy loss.
3Loss of information
If the laparoscope operates continuously in high-definition mode, then all surgical data is captured, but system heat generation increases reducing component life
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using magnetic sensors or photoelectric sensors to determine whether the laparoscope is within the surgical site before activating continuous high-definition recording. This preliminary action ensures that high-definition recording operates only when necessary, reducing heat generation and extending component life while maintaining recording completeness for all relevant surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the laparoscope's position detection. The system switches between continuous high-definition mode, intermittent mode, or standby mode depending on whether the laparoscope is inside or outside the surgical site, thereby reducing unnecessary heat generation and extending the life expectancy of recording components while ensuring complete surgical data capture.
4Extent of automation
If magnetic sensors and photoelectric sensors are added to detect laparoscope position, then automated mode switching is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic sensors or photoelectric sensors as intermediary detection devices that automatically detect the laparoscope's position relative to the surgical site. These sensors serve as mediators between the physical position of the laparoscope and the control system, enabling automated mode switching without requiring complex manual control mechanisms, thus achieving high automation with relatively simple sensor-based detection.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption, extends the life of system components, enhances communication reliability, and protects patient and clinician privacy by minimizing high-resolution data capture and transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The access port includes a magnet. The laparoscope includes a magnetic sensor operably coupled to the camera module. The magnetic sensor is configured to cause the camera module to switch from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode when the magnetic sensor is positioned in proximity to the magnet of the access port.
Implementation Method 2
In another embodiment, a light sensor may be used in place of the magnetic sensor to switch between modes of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscope, a laparoscopic system, and a robotic system including a camera module configured to switch between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on a sensor signal. The sensor signal may be generated by at least one of a magnetic sensor or a light sensor.