Puncture Support Guidance for Laparoscopic Needle–Ultrasound Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laparoscopic surgery, it is difficult to ascertain the positional relationship between a puncture needle and an ultrasound probe, making it challenging to accurately insert the puncture needle into a target blood vessel, especially in complex anatomical regions like the liver.
Innovation Solution
A puncture support apparatus that utilizes a processor to acquire and superimpose images of the puncture needle and ultrasound probe, calculating and displaying support information such as cross section guides, extension lines, and puncture points to facilitate precise needle insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If laparoscopic surgery is performed to reduce incision size, then patient trauma is reduced, but it becomes difficult to ascertain the positional relationship between surgical tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces markers as intermediary objects attached to surgical tools (puncture needle and ultrasound probe). These markers serve as mediators that enable the imaging apparatus to detect and track the position and orientation of the surgical tools indirectly, solving the problem of difficulty in ascertaining positional relationships in laparoscopic surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the surgical tools by detecting markers and generating overlay images that display the position and orientation of the puncture needle and ultrasound probe. This copying approach allows surgeons to visualize tool positions without direct line-of-sight, maintaining surgical minimality while providing necessary spatial information.
2Manufacturing precision
If a puncture needle is used to specify a surgical site in the liver, then surgical precision is improved, but it becomes difficult to accurately insert the needle into the target blood vessel among spread vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously detecting the position of the puncture needle and ultrasound probe using markers, and displaying this information as overlay images. This real-time feedback allows surgeons to adjust needle insertion based on visual guidance, making it easier to accurately target blood vessels while maintaining high surgical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the surgical field by displaying overlay images that show the position and orientation of surgical tools and target vessels. This dimensional addition provides spatial context that helps surgeons navigate complex anatomical structures, transforming a difficult 3D spatial task into a more manageable guided procedure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical tools are used simultaneously, then surgical capability is enhanced, but the complexity of tracking their positional relationships increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking task by attaching individual markers to each surgical tool (puncture needle and ultrasound probe). This segmentation allows the imaging apparatus to detect and track each tool independently, simplifying the overall tracking system complexity while maintaining the ability to monitor multiple tools simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Distal end coordinates of the puncture needle are acquired on the basis of a first image. Distal end coordinates of an ultrasound probe are acquired on the basis of the first image. Coordinates of a target region in an ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound probe are acquired. Support information for supporting a puncture operation of the puncture needle is generated by using at least any one of the distal end coordinates of the puncture needle, the distal end coordinates of the ultrasound probe, or the coordinates of the target region. The support information is displayed on a display by being superimposed on the first image.