Microsurgery Instrument Control with Lateral and Axial Tissue Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures, particularly in ophthalmic surgery, face challenges in accurately sensing and controlling the forces and positions of surgical instruments due to the delicate nature of the tissues involved, leading to potential tissue damage or incomplete procedures, as human perception is inadequate for subtle force detection.
Innovation Solution
A control device with integrated sensors for detecting the lateral and axial positions and relationships between surgical instruments and tissues, using cameras, optical coherence tomography, and various sensor technologies to provide precise control and feedback, ensuring optimal force application and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human perception is used to detect forces during surgery, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the measurement precision is insufficient for delicate tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system that measures tissue interaction forces indirectly through the surgical instrument rather than requiring direct measurement at the tissue interface. This mediator approach enables precise force detection while maintaining system simplicity by utilizing the instrument structure as part of the sensing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct human tactile perception with mechanical sensor systems that can detect forces in the millinewton range. This substitution enables objective, quantifiable measurements that are impossible for human surgeons to perceive directly, while the sensor integration keeps the overall system architecture relatively simple.
2Reliability
If higher forces are applied to ensure reliable tissue grasping, then the surgical step can be performed reliably, but the tissue may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time force feedback measurement that allows the surgical system to detect when optimal grasping force is achieved and prevents excessive force application. This feedback mechanism enables reliable tissue manipulation while automatically preventing damage by alerting the surgeon or controlling the robotic system to maintain forces within safe limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in force parameters as indicators of successful tissue engagement. By monitoring force magnitude and characteristics, the system can determine when a tissue has been properly grasped without requiring excessive force, thereby achieving reliable surgical steps while minimizing tissue damage risk.
3Reliability
If multiple surgical steps are repeated at different depths to achieve successful procedure, then the surgical goal can be reached, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs real-time feedback from sensors that provide immediate information about tissue interaction, depth of penetration, and force application. This feedback allows the surgeon to determine on the first attempt whether the surgical step has been successfully performed, eliminating the need for repeated attempts at different depths and significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining high success rates.
4Measurement precision
If additional sensor devices are integrated into the surgical instrument, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (force measurement, position detection) into the surgical instrument structure itself rather than adding separate external sensor systems. This merging approach integrates sensors with the instrument's mechanical components, achieving high measurement precision while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and integration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the surgical instrument with multi-functional capabilities, where the same structural components serve both surgical functions and sensing functions. This universality allows the instrument to perform its primary surgical task while simultaneously providing accurate measurement data, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency by eliminating dedicated sensor-only components.
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
The solution provides reliable, cost-effective feedback and control, preventing tissue damage while ensuring the successful execution of surgical steps, even in delicate procedures like cataract and retinal surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device comprises at least one device for detecting the lateral position of the surgical instrument relative to a surface of a tissue
Implementation Method 2
using cameras, optical coherence tomography, and various sensor technologies to provide precise control and feedback
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device (1) for microsurgery for controlling a surgical instrument (2) is described. The control device (1) comprises a sensor device (3) which has at least one device (4) for detecting the lateral position of the surgical instrument (2) relative to a surface (12) of a tissue (11) and at least one device (5) for detecting data which characterizes an axial relationship between the surgical instrument (2) and the tissue surface (12). The axial relationship is characterized by at least one kinematic and/or at least one dynamic parameter. The control device (1) is designed to control the action of the surgical instrument (2) on the tissue (11) and/or to control the movement of the surgical instrument (2) with respect to the tissue (11) based on data detected by the sensor device (3).A robotic assembly and a surgical microscope for microsurgery are also disclosed.