Voice-Controlled Surgical Systems with Phased-Array Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voice-controlled surgical devices face challenges in recognizing and prioritizing voice commands from multiple operating staff, are affected by background noise, and require predetermined command syntax, leading to inefficiencies and increased personnel and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A voice-activated surgical command system utilizing phased microphone and loudspeaker arrays for directional sound capture and output, active noise reduction, and natural language processing to identify and prioritize commands from different staff, enabling seamless device control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple operating staff members are present to adjust various apparatuses during surgical procedures, then the surgeon can continue work without stopping to change settings, but the device complexity and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system performs self-service by automatically detecting and adjusting settings based on voice commands from the surgical team, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing personnel requirements while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical interaction (physical adjustment of devices) with voice-based acoustic interaction, allowing operating staff to control apparatuses without physical contact, thereby reducing personnel needs while maintaining operational ease
2Productivity
If multiple operating staff members are present during surgical procedures, then device adjustments can be made continuously, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated control through voice commands, reducing the need for multiple staff members physically present in the sterile field, thereby maintaining productivity while minimizing contamination risk from additional personnel
Solution Approach 2:
Voice commands serve as an intermediary control mechanism, allowing device adjustments to be made without direct physical contact or presence of multiple staff members in the surgical field, thus maintaining productivity while reducing contamination exposure
3Extent of automation
If voice-activated applications are used to control surgical devices, then physical interaction by operating staff is reduced, but the ability to recognize and prioritize commands from multiple personnel is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning unique voice profiles and identification characteristics to different personnel, enabling the automated system to distinguish and prioritize commands from specific individuals based on their unique vocal signatures and authorized command sets
4Ease of operation
If microphones are placed in the operating room to capture voice commands, then voice control is enabled, but background noise affects sound clarity and command detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of background noise into a beneficial feature by using noise cancellation algorithms and directional microphone arrays that distinguish between surgical ambient noise and intentional voice commands, thereby maintaining voice control capability while improving detection accuracy
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
Facilitates hands-free surgical system operation, reduces personnel requirements, and minimizes contamination risks by accurately interpreting and executing voice commands in noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more microphones configured to convert sound waves within a surgical operating environment to one or more audio input signals
Implementation Method 2
one or more loudspeakers configured to generate sound waves within the surgical operating environment based on one or more audio output signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a voice-controlled system for controlling devices and systems in a surgical setting. The voice-controlled system includes at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker distributed within the surgical setting to receive and audibly respond to voice commands from operating staff. In certain aspects, the at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker include a phased microphone array and a phased loudspeaker array that are coordinated and synchronized to perform active noise reduction, echo cancellation, and directional determination of sound sources. The voice-controlled system performs tasks, such as activation of surgical devices, based on verbal interactions with the operating staff through the at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker. In certain aspects, the voice-controlled system is configured to recognize, decipher, and prioritize natural language commands from different operating staff, and further provides pre-programming of device settings and operating staff pre-sets.