Laparoscopic Nerve Detection via Electrical Signal Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic and robotic surgery methods, particularly during radical prostatectomy, face challenges in precisely detecting and mapping internal nerve tissue, leading to potential damage and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate visualization and inefficient nerve monitoring techniques.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing electrode probes inserted through the body surface and into a body cavity, with an exploratory probe providing an electrical signal to map nerve pathways by analyzing the relative strength of the signal received, allowing for precise nerve detection and mapping to minimize damage during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional open surgery is performed to access internal body parts, then direct visualization and access to nerves is improved, but patient side effects increase including infection risk, scarring, and blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical open surgical access with a laparoscopic system that uses a camera and probes inserted through small ports. The nerve detection function substitutes direct visual inspection with electrical signal-based detection, allowing surgeons to identify nerves without large incisions, thereby reducing infection risk, scarring, and blood loss while maintaining nerve visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary probe that delivers electrical signals to detect nerves indirectly. Instead of directly visualizing nerves through open surgery, the system uses electrical stimulation and signal analysis as an intermediary method to locate nerves through laparoscopic access, enabling safe minimally invasive surgery
2Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation along the NVB is used for nerve monitoring, then nerve detection capability is improved, but surgical time increases and outcomes become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the probe continuously monitors electrical signals from nerves and provides real-time feedback to the surgeon. The system analyzes the strength and characteristics of electrical signals to dynamically identify nerve locations and alert the surgeon, enabling rapid and consistent nerve detection without time-consuming manual stimulation tests
Solution Approach 2:
The probe system performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing electrical signals and determining nerve presence and location. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring and interpreting electrical characteristics without requiring repeated manual electrical stimulation tests by the surgeon, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining detection accuracy
3Ease of operation
If direct visualization of the presumed NVB is used, then surgical procedure simplicity is improved, but nerve preservation accuracy deteriorates because the presumed NVB location does not match actual nerve location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on anatomical presumption and direct visual inspection with electrical signal-based detection. The probe measures electrical characteristics to accurately locate nerves, substituting the simple but inaccurate method of visualizing presumed NVB locations with a precise electrical detection system that identifies actual nerve positions regardless of anatomical variations
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical probe acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the nerve, providing accurate nerve location information that bridges the gap between presumed anatomical locations and actual nerve positions. This intermediary measurement system enables surgeons to operate with both simplicity and precision
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
Enables rapid and precise detection and mapping of nerve pathways, reducing the risk of nerve damage during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, such as prostatectomies, by providing audible or visual feedback on probe proximity to nerves, facilitating safer dissection and preservation of erectile nerves.
Implementation Method 1
an exploratory probe inserted into the body cavity through a laparoscopic channel introduces an electric signal into the tissue of a surgery subject proximate a presumed nerve pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical method aids identification of nerves in a body to help prevent damage to the nerves during surgery to the body proximate the nerves. An electrode introduced to within a body cavity through a catheter is placed proximate a nerve within the body cavity by a laparoscopic or robotic device. An exploratory probe placed in the body cavity is selectively placed along a presumed pathway of the nerve to provide an electrical signal through the nerve to the electrode. An analyzer interfaced with the electrode analyzes the electrical signal received at the electrode to determine the proximity of the exploratory probe to the nerve, allowing mapping of the nerve pathway through the body cavity.