Robotic Instrument Identification by Isolating Picked Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
In healthcare facilities, identifying and extracting individual surgical instruments from a disordered and tangled assortment is complex and labor-intensive due to their similar appearance and reflective stainless steel material, making manual sorting inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with a movable presentation surface and analyzing apparatus uses image comparison to identify and precision pick objects, reducing the number of items to analyze by transferring remaining objects to a compartment, thereby increasing identification accuracy and reducing manual interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sorting is used to identify and extract individual surgical instruments from a disordered assortment, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the process becomes extremely complex and labor-intensive requiring high manual interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting with an automated robotic system that uses vision systems, image processing algorithms, and robotic manipulation. The system captures images of disordered instruments, processes them to identify individual instruments and their locations, and directs robotic grippers to extract specific instruments automatically, eliminating the need for manual sorting while managing the complexity through automation.
2Reliability
If all objects in the random assortment are analyzed simultaneously to identify a single object, then complete information is available, but the identification probability decreases due to the large number of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the random assortment of instruments into multiple sections or regions on the presentation surface. The vision system processes images to identify instruments in each section separately, allowing the robotic system to select and extract one instrument at a time from each section. This segmentation increases identification probability by reducing the search space from the entire assortment to smaller manageable sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the entire instrument assortment before extraction begins, processing these images to identify all instruments and their locations in advance. This preliminary analysis creates a digital map of the assortment, allowing the system to plan extraction sequences and select target instruments without needing to re-analyze the entire assortment for each extraction task.
3Ease of operation
If the presentation surface remains in the first position to maintain object coverage, then object containment is preserved, but access to the compartment below is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable presentation surface that can dynamically change position between a first position (covering the compartment below) and a second position (providing access to the compartment). The surface moves along guides or rails, allowing the system to switch between containment mode and access mode as needed during the instrument extraction process, resolving the contradiction between maintaining coverage and providing access.
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
The robotic system effectively identifies and processes individual surgical instruments with high accuracy, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency in sorting and preparation for reuse.
Implementation Method 1
The analyzing may comprise comparing an image of the objects on the presentation surface with stored images of the objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a robotic system, for identifying single objects from a random assortment of objects. The robotic system picks, among a random assortment of objects on a presentation surface, an object from the presentation surface at a determined picking point. The robotic system removes any remaining objects from the presentation surface. The robotic system places the picked object on the presentation surface. The robotic system further analyzes the picked object on the presentation surface, in order to identify a single object.