RF Surgical Tool Interface for Automated Endoscope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic surgery interfaces divert the surgeon's focus and fail to allow simultaneous direction of the endoscope view to both automated assistants and surgical colleagues, lacking the ability to identify which surgical instrument the surgeon is attending to.
Innovation Solution
An interface system comprising an array of RF transmitters attached to surgical tools, a directional RF receiver, and a computerized operating system that calculates the spatial location and orientation of these tools, automatically directing the endoscope to focus on the selected instrument, and providing this information to both the surgeon and automated assistants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional interfaces (head mounted light source, voice operated, directional key) are used to control automated assistants, then the surgeon can direct mechanical movement of the assistant, but the surgeon's constant attention is required and the interface is cumbersome for starting and stopping movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument automatically transmits its location information without requiring active input from the surgeon. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring and reporting the instrument's position, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually control or constantly monitor the automated assistant's movement directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical control interfaces (head mounted light sources, directional keys, voice commands) with an automated RF-based location transmission system. The surgical instrument itself transmits its position data via RF signals, substituting the need for mechanical or manual control mechanisms with an automated electromagnetic communication system.
2Ease of operation
If positioning systems are developed to simplify interfacing control, then the surgeon's focus is diverted from the major task at hand, but these systems fail to allow the surgeon to signal to both automated assistants and surgical colleagues which instrument attention is focused
Solution Approach 1:
The RF transmitter on the surgical instrument serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits location data to automated assistants for positioning control and transmits the same location information to surgical colleagues for situational awareness. This multi-functional transmission eliminates the need for separate communication channels and ensures that focus information is shared with both automated systems and human colleagues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback about the surgical instrument's location and the surgeon's focus to both automated assistants and surgical colleagues. The RF transmitter continuously transmits location data, creating a feedback loop that keeps all relevant parties informed of the current surgical focus without requiring additional communication actions from the surgeon.
3Measurement precision
If RF signal strength is used to estimate distance and calculate transmitter location through triangulation, then the spatial position can be determined, but the method becomes unstable and inaccurate when transmit power is unknown or the propagation factor is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the location determination process into segments handled by different components: the RF transmitter handles signal transmission with known power levels, the RF receiver measures received signal strength, and the processor performs triangulation. This segmentation allows each component to operate under controlled conditions, with the transmitter providing known transmit power parameters that stabilize the overall measurement system.
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
Simplifies communication between the surgeon and automated assistants, enhances user-friendliness, and ensures seamless interaction with endoscope systems by accurately tracking and directing the endoscope's view to the surgeon's chosen instrument, reducing manual intervention and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one array comprising N RF transmitters, where N is a positive integer
Implementation Method 2
one RF receiver, provided with at least two directional antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An interface between a surgeon and an automated assistant, including: at least one array comprising N RF transmitters, where N is a positive integer; at least one RF receiver provided with at least two directional antenna; means for attaching said RF transmitter array to at least one surgical tool; and a computerized operating system adapted to record the received signal strength (RSS) received by each antenna of the one RF receiver and to calculate therefrom the position of each of the N RF transmitters, and further adapted to provide automatically the results of the calculation to the surgeon.