Medical Support Device Puncture Path Superimposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical support devices for endoscopic surgical operations require complex and bulky apparatuses, such as magnetic navigation systems, or modifications to incorporate light sources, making them time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A medical support device comprising a processor that acquires intracorporeal images, derives position/posture information of a medical device, and displays a puncture path in a superimposed form, allowing for accurate guidance of a puncture needle without the need for large-scale apparatuses or internal modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a magnetic navigation system is used to display puncture needle position and posture, then the puncture guidance accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and scale increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of the puncture needle and generates a two-dimensional projected image that copies the essential positional and postural information. This projected image is then superimposed on the three-dimensional anatomical model, providing accurate guidance without requiring complex magnetic navigation systems. The copying approach extracts only the necessary information (position and posture) from the complex needle structure, simplifying the overall system while maintaining guidance accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If a laser pointer is incorporated into the ultrasound probe to indicate puncture direction, then the puncture guidance is improved, but the modification time and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures images of the puncture needle from the inside of the body. This camera-based approach provides puncture direction guidance without requiring direct modification of the ultrasound probe with laser pointers. The camera acts as a mediator that translates the needle's position and orientation into visual information that can be displayed and used for guidance, avoiding the need to modify the probe's internal structure.
3Measurement precision
If a marker is provided at the insertion part of the medical device, then the position derivation accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a marker with specific color characteristics at the insertion part of the medical device. This marker appears in distinct colors in the captured images, enabling easy identification and precise position derivation through image processing. The color-based marker provides accurate positional information without requiring complex structural modifications, as the marker can be applied as a simple visual element that is readily detectable by the camera system.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor of a medical support device is configured to: acquire an intracorporeal image that is captured by an intracorporeal camera that images an inside of a body of a subject, the intracorporeal image including, within an imaging range, an organ punctured by a puncture needle, an insertion part of a medical device inserted into the body, and a marker that is provided at the insertion part and is image-recognizable; derive position/posture information including at least one of a position or a posture of the insertion part based on the marker; and execute display control of displaying a puncture path of the puncture needle in a superimposed form at a position specified in the intracorporeal image based on the position/posture information.