Skin-Attached Laparoscopic Camera for Hands-Free Field-of-View Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical tools lack hands-free operation capabilities, limiting surgeon mobility and increasing discomfort due to manual handling of cameras during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical camera system with a base attachable to a patient's skin surface, featuring a manipulator and connector allowing for hands-free movement of the image capturing element, powered by motors and controlled by a position controller for automated adjustment of the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera is held manually during surgery, then the surgeon can adjust the field of view, but the surgeon's hands are occupied and cannot perform other surgical tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit that attaches to the patient's body, a connector that passes through the incision site, and an image capturing element positioned inside the body cavity. This segmentation allows automatic positioning while maintaining surgical flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system positions itself automatically through the manipulator mechanism that adjusts the image capturing element's position and orientation without requiring manual intervention during surgery, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining optimal field of view.
2Reliability
If the base attaches to the skin surface, then hands-free operation is enabled, but the attachment method must ensure sealing and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates a flexible adhesive layer that conforms to the skin surface, providing secure attachment while being gentle on the patient's skin. This flexible film structure ensures both stability and biocompatibility during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
An adhesive intermediary layer is introduced between the base and the skin surface to ensure secure attachment while protecting the skin from direct contact with potentially irritating materials, thus maintaining both stability and patient comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector allows image capturing element movement, then field of view adjustment is improved, but the connector must maintain flexibility and positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capabilities for the image capturing element, allowing real-time field of view changes while maintaining precise positioning through controlled movement along defined trajectories, thus balancing flexibility and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts positioning parameters through the manipulator mechanism, changing the spatial coordinates and orientation of the image capturing element to achieve different field of view configurations while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled parameter variation.
4Reliability
If the base forms a seal around the connector, then insufflation is facilitated, but the base structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base employs a flexible sealing ring or adhesive barrier that forms a seal around the connector insertion point, enabling effective insufflation while maintaining a relatively simple base structure through the use of flexible sealing materials rather than complex mechanical sealing systems.
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 operation, enhances surgeon mobility, reduces discomfort, and improves surgical precision by automatically adjusting the camera's field of view to focus on surgical instruments or targets.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive layer may extend over the entire inner surface of the base or only partwise, e.g. in the form of a ring-shaped adhesive. The adhesive may be arranged at the proximal end of the base or at the distal end or in the middle portion of the base.
Implementation Method 2
The connector passage may be used for holding an obturator which can pierce the skin initially, e.g. before the base is attached to the skin. The connector passage thereby forms said obturator conduit. To facilitate liquid and gas tightness e.g. during exchange between an obturator and the connector in the connector passage and thereby facilitate a constantly inflated body cavity, the base may comprise a duckbill valve arrange to seal the connector passage.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical camera comprising a base, an image capturing element defining a field of view and configured to exchange image data with a monitor, a connector extending between the image capturing element and the base, and a manipulator configured for movement of the image capturing element relative to the base. To facilitate free hands of the surgeon, the surgical camera forms a contact surface which can be attached to an outer skin surface of the patient and thereby fix the camera to the patient.