Robotic Surgical Inventory Management via Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for surgical inventory management during robotic surgeries are prone to errors, such as leaving instruments inside patients, due to manual counting and tracking methods that lack precision and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A robotic surgical inventory management system that uses sensors and machine learning to monitor and manage surgical supplies, automatically tracking their position and count, and providing real-time alerts and instructions for manipulators to ensure accurate placement and removal of supplies during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting and tracking methods are used for surgical inventory management, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the precision and accuracy of tracking surgical supplies deteriorates, leading to errors such as leaving instruments inside patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting methods with an automated sensor-based tracking system. Sensors detect the presence, position, and status of surgical supplies, while a computing device processes this data to provide real-time inventory management, eliminating human error in tracking while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
2Reliability
If automated sensor-based tracking systems are implemented, then the precision and accuracy of surgical supply management improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor surgical supply status in real-time, the computing device processes this information, and the system provides immediate alerts or notifications when supplies need to be replaced, added, or removed. This feedback mechanism ensures high reliability by continuously verifying inventory accuracy and preventing errors.
3Productivity
If manual inventory management is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time for counting and tracking supplies increases, reducing surgical efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The automated tracking system operates continuously throughout the surgical procedure, constantly monitoring supply inventory without interruption. This eliminates the need for periodic manual counting and ensures that inventory status is always current, thereby maximizing surgical efficiency by removing time losses associated with manual inventory checks.
4Reliability
If conventional communication-based methods are used for preventing surgical errors, then the system is simple, but the reliability of error prevention deteriorates due to human communication breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated computing device and sensor system as an intermediary between surgical team members and inventory management. This intermediary objectively tracks and reports supply status, eliminating reliance on human communication and memory, thereby significantly improving error prevention reliability while maintaining ease of use through automated notifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A supply tray for a surgical procedure is selected based on the surgical procedure and patient data retrieved from an electronic health records database. Multiple steps of the surgical procedure are retrieved from the electronic health records database. A message is sent to a first manipulator to move a supply from the supply tray to a staging area for performing a step. A first indication is received from a first sensor that the supply is needed at a present time. A position where the supply is needed in an operating area proximate to the staging area is determined using a second sensor. A second message is sent to a second manipulator to move the supply from the staging area to the position. A second indication is received from a third sensor that the step is complete. A third message is sent to a third manipulator to remove the supply.