Ophthalmic Tool Tip Position Tracking via Tissue Marker Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures in ophthalmology are complicated due to low visibility through transparent eye tissues, leading to potential damage and complications during surgeries like cataract surgery, where accurate incisions are challenging, resulting in prolonged recovery and repeated surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining the position and orientation of a tool tip relative to eye tissue using a stereoscopic camera, a tool tracker, and a processor that acquires images of tissue reference markers, determines their position and orientation in a reference coordinate system, and calculates the relative position and orientation of the tool tip to prevent undesired damage to transparent tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a stereoscopic microscope is used for ophthalmic surgery, then the surgeon can perform common surgical procedures, but the transparent eye tissues are difficult to see clearly leading to low visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system (infrared camera, visible light camera, OCT device) that mediates between the surgeon and the transparent eye tissues. These devices capture and process visual information that is then overlaid on the microscope image, serving as a mediator to enhance visibility of transparent structures without requiring the surgeon to switch between multiple complex devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities (infrared imaging, visible light imaging, OCT imaging) with the traditional microscope view by overlaying processed images onto the live microscope feed. This combination provides enhanced visibility of transparent tissues while maintaining the familiar microscope interface, avoiding the need for completely new complex surgical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If the surgeon relies on microscope visualization alone, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but accurate incisions are challenging resulting in potential damage to transparent tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by overlaying processed images from infrared cameras, visible light cameras, and OCT devices onto the microscope view. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to see transparent tissues more clearly and make accurate incisions, preventing tissue damage and avoiding the need for repeated surgeries and extended recovery periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and processing of eye tissue structures before the surgeon makes incisions. By pre-visualizing the transparent tissues through multiple imaging modalities and overlaying this information on the microscope view, the surgeon can plan and execute accurate incisions from the outset, preventing tissue damage and reducing recovery time.
3Measurement precision
If non-visual scanning technologies are used to locate the eye capsule, then additional guidance concerning distance can be provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs imaging devices (infrared cameras, visible light cameras, OCT devices) that serve multiple functions: they provide visual enhancement of transparent tissues, measure distances to the eye capsule, and guide surgical incisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving precise distance measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods with optical and imaging-based systems. By using infrared imaging, visible light imaging, and OCT technology to measure distances and visualize tissues, the system achieves precise measurement without complex mechanical gauges or physical contact tools, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 real-time, continuous tracking of the tool tip's position and orientation relative to eye tissues, providing visual or audio feedback to prevent damage, thus improving surgical accuracy and reducing complications during ophthalmic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging and tracking module including a stereoscopic camera and a tool tracker. The stereoscopic camera is configured to acquire images of at least one tissue reference marker
Implementation Method 2
The tool tracker is configured to acquire information relating to P&O of the tool
Implementation Method 3
The processor is configured to determine in real-time: P&O of the at least one tissue reference marker in a reference coordinate system, according to the images
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
System and method for determining the position and orientation (P&O) of a tool-tip relative to an eye tissue of interest. The system includes and imaging and tracking module coupled with a processor. The imaging and tracking module at least includes an imager. The imager acquires at least one image of at least one tissue-reference-marker. The imaging and tracking module further determines information relating to the P&O of the tool. The processor determines the P&O of the tissue-reference-marker according to the acquired image of the tissue-reference-marker. The processor determines the P&O of the eye tissue of interest, according to the P&O of the tissue-reference-marker, and a predetermined relative P&O between the tissue-reference-marker and the eye tissue of interest. The processor also determines the P&O of a tool-tip according to a tool-marker and determines the relative P&O between the tool-tip and the eye tissue of interest.