Operating Room Video Analytics for Calibration-Free Patient Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating diverse medical technologies in operating rooms is challenging due to incompatibility and device-specific data, and existing systems fail to accurately determine patient position relative to the operating table without calibration, which is time-consuming and affects patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using image recognition techniques to determine patient position relative to the operating table from captured image data, enabling integration with existing tables and monitoring patient movement without calibration, and outputting alerts for potential issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration is performed for each surgical procedure to ensure precise positioning of robotic surgical instruments relative to the operating table, then positioning accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing images of calibration objects at multiple known positions before surgical procedures begin. These calibration images are processed to create a mapping between camera coordinates and operating room coordinate system, so that when the robotic surgical instrument needs to know the location of the operating table or patient, the positioning information is already available without requiring time-consuming calibration during each procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses image capture devices to create visual copies and representations of physical objects in the operating room. By capturing images of the operating table, patient, and calibration objects, the system creates digital models that can be processed to determine spatial relationships and positions, replacing the need for direct physical measurement and calibration of each device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different surgical procedures are hosted in the same operating room requiring different equipment, then versatility is improved, but integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure flexibilityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal image-based coordinate system that can represent and track any object in the operating room regardless of the specific surgical procedure being performed. The same image capture devices and processing algorithms serve all surgical procedures, whether robotic surgery, traditional surgery, or other procedures, by providing a common framework for locating any equipment or patient position without requiring procedure-specific calibration or integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary coordinate system based on image data that mediates between different surgical equipment and the operating room environment. Rather than requiring direct integration between robotic instruments, operating tables, and other procedure-specific equipment, the image-based system serves as a universal intermediary that translates positions and locations into a common reference frame that all devices can understand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4134966B1Operating room video analytic systems and methods
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 BAXTER MEDICAL SYST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4134966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4134966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, a method of monitoring a patient on an operating room table is provided. The method 500 comprises receiving image data 501 captured by at least one image capture device; and determining a position of the patient relative to the operating table 503 in dependence on the image data. A corresponding system, computer program and non-transitory memory are also provided.