Staple Cartridge Alignment Display Using Real-Time Surgical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems face challenges in aligning surgical instruments, particularly staple cartridges, with precision and efficiency, which can lead to suboptimal surgical outcomes due to misalignment during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hub system that integrates a processor, memory, and non-contact sensors to receive and process image data, generating aligned images of staple lines and instrument positions, facilitating precise alignment of surgical devices on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment of staple cartridge to prior staple line is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the prior staple line and the surgical instrument positions on a display. Image data is processed to generate a visual representation that shows the alignment status, allowing the surgeon to see an accurate copy of the anatomical structures and instrument positions without adding physical complexity to the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with an optical/electronic system. Instead of relying on physical guides or mechanical alignment tools, the system uses image sensors, processors, and display devices to provide visual feedback for alignment, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic processing and visual representation.
2Measurement precision
If real-time image processing and display system is implemented, then alignment precision is improved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous real-time imaging and processing during the surgical procedure. The image sensor continuously captures data, the processor continuously analyzes alignment, and the display continuously shows updated alignment status. This continuous feedback loop allows the surgeon to maintain alignment without interruption or additional setup time between actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-aligning capabilities through automated image processing. The processor automatically analyzes the captured images, determines alignment status, and presents the information in a format that guides the surgeon's actions. This reduces the cognitive load and time required for the surgeon to manually assess alignment, as the system performs the analysis and presentation automatically.
3Measurement precision
If non-contact sensors and image processing are used, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the image sensor and the surgeon. The processor acts as an intermediary that automatically analyzes the raw image data, extracts alignment information, and presents it in a simplified visual format. This intermediary handles the complexity of image processing algorithms and data interpretation, leaving the surgeon with a simple visual indication of alignment status.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical hub is disclosed. The surgical hub includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive image data from an image sensor, generate a first image based on the image data, display the first image on a surgical hub display coupled to the processor, receive a signal from a non-contact sensor, the signal indicative of a position of a surgical device, generate a second image based on the signal indicative of the position of the surgical device, and display the second image on the surgical hub display coupled to the processor.