Robotic Surgical System With 3D Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laparoscopic and translumenal surgical techniques face limitations due to restricted dexterity and vision, primarily because of the constraints imposed by small incisions and two-dimensional visual displays, which restrict their application to less complex procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system comprising a console with external manipulation components and a visual display that operates in conjunction with an internal robotic device, allowing for improved dexterity and visualization by positioning the robotic device within the body cavity and providing a 'virtual hole' effect, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced control and vision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If small incisions are used for minimally invasive surgery, then patient trauma is reduced, but surgical dexterity and vision are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidsurgical dexterity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a robotic device with multiple degrees of freedom that operates within the body cavity, transforming the two-dimensional constraint of laparoscopic tools into three-dimensional dexterous movement. The robotic device can articulate and position instruments at various angles without requiring additional incisions, thereby maintaining minimally invasive benefits while dramatically improving surgical dexterity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic device serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's control inputs and the surgical instruments within the body cavity. It translates surgeon commands into precise, multi-axis movements of the instruments, overcoming the mechanical limitations of direct manual manipulation through small incisions while preserving the minimally invasive approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If small incisions are used for minimally invasive surgery, then patient trauma is reduced, but visual access to the surgical site is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidvisual access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical constraint of physical line-of-sight through small incisions with an optical system. The imaging component mounted on the robotic device captures visual information directly from the surgical site and transmits it to a display, allowing the surgeon to see around corners and obtain views that would be physically inaccessible through the incisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic device integrates multiple functions including instrument manipulation, positioning, and imaging. The imaging component provides visual feedback from the surgical site, enabling the surgeon to maintain visual access without compromising the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If two-dimensional visual display is used, then device complexity is reduced, but surgical precision is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay systemVSAvoidsurgical precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the visual display from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, providing depth perception and spatial context that are critical for surgical precision. The 3D display reconstructs the surgical field with volumetric information, allowing surgeons to better judge distances, angles, and anatomical relationships without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stability of the object's composition

If rigid laparoscopic tools are used, then structural stability is maintained, but manoeuvrability through small incisions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanoeuvrability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic device is divided into multiple articulated segments or links that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the instrument to navigate through small incisions by bending and articulating at multiple joints, while the overall structure maintains sufficient rigidity to perform surgical functions at the distal end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic instrument transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, articulated system. The multiple degrees of freedom allow the instrument to adapt its configuration to navigate complex anatomical pathways and perform maneuvers that would be impossible with rigid laparoscopic tools, while maintaining structural integrity through controlled actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3072640B1Systems for surgical visualization and device manipulation

Publication Date: 2018.02.14 VIRTUAL INCISION CORP

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~3A

AI summary

A surgical device includes a console having a visual display and a manipulator arm, a robotic device having a camera and a connection component. The robotic device is configured to be positioned completely within a body cavity. The camera is configured to transmit visual images to the visual display. The connection component operably couples the console and the robotic device. The manipulator arm is positioned relative to the visual display so as to appear to be penetrating the visual display.