Multi-Camera Endoscope for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with camera systems struggle to simultaneously visualize all surgical instruments during minimally invasive surgeries due to varying instrument positions and limited field of view, often requiring multiple trocars and causing instruments to be temporarily out of the camera's field of view.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a multi-camera system, featuring a main support device with two imaging devices and an additional support device with a wide-angle lens, allowing for independent rotation and tilting, enabling a single trocar to capture both 2D overview and 3D detail images, including instruments outside the primary field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera with limited field of view is used in the endoscope, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously visualize all surgical instruments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into multiple imaging devices (first imaging device with 30° FoV and second imaging device with 70° FoV) that capture different fields of view. These segmented views are then synthesized to create a comprehensive visualization of all surgical instruments, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and comprehensive visualization coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single 2D camera view to a multi-dimensional imaging system that captures both narrow (30°) and wide (70°) field of view dimensions simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive visualization of instruments at different positions without increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope position is changed to capture different instruments, then the visualization coverage is improved, but the loss of time for repositioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing multiple field of view angles (30° and 70°) simultaneously before the surgical procedure begins. This pre-captured multi-angle data allows the system to visualize all instruments without requiring time-consuming repositioning during surgery, as the comprehensive view is already established.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-imaging device system maintains continuous visualization of all surgical instruments throughout the procedure. By having both narrow and wide field of view cameras operating simultaneously, the system eliminates interruptions and continuous repositioning actions, ensuring uninterrupted visual monitoring of all instruments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trocars are used to insert additional cameras, then the visualization coverage is improved, but the invasiveness and patient trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple imaging functions (30° FoV and 70° FoV cameras) are merged into a single endoscope device that is inserted through one trocar. This consolidation achieves comprehensive visualization coverage without requiring multiple separate camera insertions, thereby eliminating the additional patient trauma that would result from multiple trocars.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating both narrow and wide field of view imaging capabilities within a single device. This multi-functional design allows the single endoscope to perform the work of multiple separate cameras, eliminating the need for additional trocars and reducing patient invasiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns an endoscope for minimally invasive surgery, especially for use within a surgical robotic system, which comprises a main support device (4), which basically extends over the entire length of the endoscope from the outside to the interior of the body, and which comprises at its distal end at least one illumination unit (15, 16) and two imaging devices (12a, 13a, 14a, 12b, 13b, 14b; 12c), wherein each of the imaging devices (12a, 13a, 14a, 12b, 13b, 14b; 12c) is basically arranged in such a way that it can be rotated to the outside on the same level as the main support device (4), a trocar (1), by means of which the endoscope can enter the body, and an additional support device (3), which is provided at the trocar (1) and/or the main support device (4), wherein the additional support device (3) comprises at its distal end an additional imaging device (8, 9, 10, 11), which can be rotated from the additional support device (3) to the outside and wherein the additional imaging device (7, 8, 9, 10) comprises an additional illumination unit (10, 11) and at least an additional image sensor (8, 9), which comprises a monitoring area, which encompasses the two monitoring areas of the imaging devices (12a, 13a, 14a, 12b, 13b, 14b; 12c) of the main support device (4).