Haptic Nerve Locator Cues for One-Handed Surgical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held nerve stimulation devices lack effective non-visual indicators for surgical practitioners, making it difficult to maintain precise positioning during nerve location procedures due to the need to divert gaze for visual feedback.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of haptic feedback systems, including haptic signal generators and controllers, to provide tactile cues about device status and stimulation conditions, allowing surgeons to maintain focus on the procedure without needing to visually check indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators (LEDs or LCDs) are used to convey device status information, then information can be communicated to the user, but the user must divert their gaze from the surgical procedure to observe the indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual indicators with haptic indicators that provide tactile feedback through vibrations or pulses. This substitution allows surgeons to receive device status information through touch rather than sight, eliminating the need to divert gaze from the surgical field while maintaining full awareness of device operation and tissue response
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces haptic feedback as an intermediary communication channel between the device and the surgeon. Instead of direct visual observation, the haptic system translates device status and tissue response into tactile signals that the surgeon can perceive through touch, enabling continuous monitoring without visual distraction
2Ease of operation
If the device size is reduced to enable hand-held portability, then ease of use during surgery is improved, but the number and size of visual indicators must be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual indicator systems with haptic feedback mechanisms that do not require physical display space. This allows the device to maintain a compact, portable form factor while providing comprehensive status information through tactile signals, eliminating the trade-off between size and information communication
3Loss of information
If haptic feedback is added to the device, then non-visual information communication is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional haptic feedback system where a single haptic actuator serves multiple purposes: indicating device status, confirming tissue contact, signaling stimulation delivery, and providing tactile guidance. This universal approach allows comprehensive information communication while minimizing the increase in device complexity through component consolidation
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 surgeons to perform nerve location procedures with enhanced precision by providing redundant haptic and visual feedback, facilitating one-handed operation and reducing the need for visual monitoring of the device.
Implementation Method 1
generating a first haptic output signal configured to be detected by a user holding the device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and devices for providing stimulation to target tissue to locate nerves. Devices may incorporate the use of haptic feedback to provide surgeons optimal communication of device status and/or target tissue excitability. Haptic communication may also work in conjunction with visual indicators to provide dual confirmatory responses to the user or signal other information. Haptic communication is also used to be timed with the application of electrical stimulation to elicit a feeling of contraction in the surgeon's hands as they apply electrical stimulation to a target nerve that results in a muscle contraction.