Operating Room Video Conference System for Remote Surgical Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of Medical Device Representatives in the operating room during surgeries poses infection, contamination, and sterility risks due to the need for their physical presence to educate and assist with surgical implants, which is inefficient and risky in a rapidly changing technological environment.
Innovation Solution
A video conference communication system is implemented in the operating room, equipped with a monitor, processor, camera, microphone, and speaker, allowing remote communication and control through a remote-controlled laser pointer, and including a control system with hardware, firmware, and software components, enabling remote verification, education, and documentation of surgical instruments and implants without physical presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Medical Device Representatives are physically present in the operating room to educate and assist with surgical implants, then service quality and technical support are improved, but infection and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
A video conference system serves as an intermediary between the Medical Device Representative and the surgical team, allowing the representative to provide real-time education and assistance without physically entering the operating room. The system includes a monitor displaying the representative, a camera capturing the surgical field, and audio equipment for communication, thereby maintaining service quality while eliminating infection risk from physical presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical presence with an electronic communication system. Instead of the representative physically positioning themselves near the surgical field to provide guidance, the system uses video feeds, digital annotations, and remote control interfaces to deliver the same educational and assistive functions without contamination risk
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Medical Device Representatives are invited to the operating room to provide comprehensive support, then service coverage is improved, but operating room traffic and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The video conference system provides universal access to multiple representatives through a single interface. The surgical team can connect with any number of representatives from different manufacturers or specialties via the same monitor and audio system, allowing comprehensive service coverage without multiple people physically entering the operating room
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions the interaction from a physical dimension (multiple representatives in the room) to a digital dimension (multiple representatives accessed remotely). This dimensional shift allows unlimited service coverage while maintaining a constant, controlled physical environment in the operating room
3Measurement precision
If the camera scans instruments and implants to verify contents, then accuracy of verification is improved, but time required for documentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and documentation of instruments and implants before the surgery begins. The camera captures images of the surgical tray contents, and the system automatically generates verification records, allowing the surgical team to review and confirm items in advance rather than during the procedure, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing time pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A system for video conference communication including a framework supporting a monitor; a processor operatively coupled with the monitor; a camera operatively coupled with the processor, wherein the framework is located in an operating room and the camera is configured to scan at least one of an instrument and an implant; and a microphone and speaker operatively coupled to the processor, the microphone and speaker configured to transmit sound.