Optical Input Wheel for Sterile Surgical Navigation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical input devices, such as keyboards and computer mice, require surgeons to turn away from the patient and risk contamination, increasing surgical intervention duration and complicating sterile procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical input device with a manually operable, infinitely rotatable input wheel featuring an optically detectable marking, allowing wireless and contamination-free user input to a remote computing system, attached to a surgical object like a patient or instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional input device (keyboard, touchscreen, or computer mouse) is used, then the surgeon can perform user input operations, but the surgeon must turn away from the patient and risk contamination, increasing surgical intervention duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system that translates physical wheel rotation into digital commands. The input wheel with optically detectable markings acts as a mediator between the surgeon's manual input and the computing system, allowing input operations to be performed without direct interaction with conventional input devices. This intermediary mechanism enables the surgeon to remain at the surgical site while still providing user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical input devices (keyboard, mouse) with an optically-based input mechanism. Instead of using electrical connectors or cables for wired connections, the system uses optical detection to sense wheel rotation and translate it into commands. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with non-sterile input devices while maintaining input functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional input device is used, then the surgeon can interact with the computing system, but the device may not be sterile, requiring hand disinfection after interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system serves as a sterile intermediary that allows the surgeon to input commands without direct contact with non-sterile computing components. The input wheel can be sterilized and attached to sterile surgical instruments or the patient, creating a barrier that prevents contamination while enabling input operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the input mechanism that can exist in the sterile surgical field. The optically detectable wheel markings provide a visual copy of input states that can be detected remotely by the computing system, allowing the physical input device to remain in the sterile zone while the processing occurs in the non-sterile computing system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If voice commands are used for remote control, then some issues with conventional input devices are avoided, but the commands may not be as intuitive to a surgeon as a computer mouse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circular/rotational input wheel that mimics the intuitive circular motion of a mouse wheel or dial. This curved, rotational interface is more natural for surgical gestures than linear keyboard input or vocal commands. The circular markings on the wheel provide visual feedback that enhances intuitiveness while maintaining sterile conditions.
4Reliability
If a wired connection with electrical connector or cable is used, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the device complexity increases and sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical connection mechanisms (connectors, cables) with an optical detection system. The input wheel's rotational position and movement are detected optically through markings that reflect or emit light, converting mechanical motion into optical signals that can be transmitted wirelessly or through sterile barriers. This eliminates complex electrical wiring while maintaining reliable data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential input function from complex electrical input devices and isolates it into a simple mechanical wheel with optical markings. By taking out only the necessary rotational input mechanism and pairing it with optical detection, the system removes unnecessary electrical components, cables, and connectors, simplifying the overall device structure while preserving input reliability.
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 user inputs without leaving the surgical site, maintaining sterility and reducing procedure duration by using a wireless, power-free device that detects wheel markings optically, translating rotations into commands for the computing system.
Implementation Method 1
the input wheel defines an optically detectable wheel marking
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical input device configured to enable manual user input to a remote computing system is described. In one example, the surgical input device comprises an interface configured to be attachable to a surgical object such as a patient bone. The surgical input device further comprises a manually operable input wheel infinitely rotatable relative to the interface. The input wheel defines an optically detectable wheel marking. In some variants, the surgical input device or surgical object may comprise one or more tracking elements and may thus function as a surgical tracker.