Optical Tissue Interrogation Through Sterile Drape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical robotic systems lack the capability to accurately and efficiently differentiate between various types of tissue, such as cancerous and benign tissue, during surgical procedures, which can lead to collateral damage and inadequate tumor margin creation, especially when performing cauterization or dissection near fragile structures like nerves and blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
Integration of optical interrogation features into surgical instruments that allow for real-time tissue identification and differentiation using multi- or hyper-spectral imaging, where light is transmitted and received through a sterile drape, enabling precise tissue analysis and communication of tissue information to the surgeon, potentially combined with other modalities like ultrasound for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical robotic systems are used without optical interrogation, then the system structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the ability to differentiate between cancerous and benign tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical interrogation system is integrated within the existing surgical robotic system structure. The light source, optical fibers, and sensors are nested within the robotic instrument shaft, allowing the optical functionality to be contained within the existing mechanical framework without requiring a completely new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical robotic system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional mechanical dissection and cauterization operations, plus optical tissue interrogation and spectral analysis. The same robotic platform that performs mechanical surgery now also performs optical diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic equipment
2Reliability
If optical interrogation is integrated into surgical instruments, then real-time tissue identification capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Optical interrogation capability is applied locally at the distal tip of the surgical instrument where tissue interaction occurs. The light source and sensors are positioned at the instrument tip to provide localized tissue analysis exactly where the surgeon needs information, rather than requiring system-wide optical monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries to transmit light from the light source through the sterile drape to the tissue and to carry reflected light back to the sensors. These fiber optic intermediaries enable optical communication across the sterile barrier without compromising sterility or requiring complex mechanical coupling
3Ease of operation
If light transmission through sterile drape is implemented, then non-sterile light source can be used outside sterile field, but optical signal attenuation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates across multiple spectral wavelengths, selecting specific wavelength ranges that optimize penetration through the sterile drape material. By changing the operational parameter from single-wavelength to multi-wavelength operation, the system compensates for drape attenuation and achieves sufficient signal transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system transitions from direct line-of-sight illumination to fiber-optic-mediated light transmission. This dimensional change allows the light path to be routed through the sterile drape via flexible optical fibers rather than requiring direct optical access, enabling the light source to be positioned outside the sterile field
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
This solution enhances the surgeon's ability to identify and differentiate tissues, reducing collateral damage during cauterization and improving the efficacy of tumor removal by providing precise tissue information, such as blood vessel presence, density, and inflammation, thereby improving surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an optical module comprising a source of light and a sensor. Light from the source is transmitted to the distal part of the surgical instrument, and light reflected or emitted from the tissue is transmitted to the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The light source and sensor components are disposed on opposite sides of a surgical drape, and light is transmitted through the drape between the components of the optical module
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a light source, a sensor for detecting light, and a surgical device including an elongate shaft having a distal part positionable at a surgical working site within a body cavity. A first optical pathway transmits light from the light source to a distal part of the elongate shaft and onto tissue within the body cavity, and a second optical pathway receives light from tissue within the body cavity and transmits the received light to the sensor. A surgical barrier, such as one covering a robotic manipulator arm housing components of the system, is positioned such that at least the first or second optical pathway includes an optically transmissive portion of the surgical barrier.