Stapler Jaw EIT Imaging for Intraoperative Tumor Margin Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers struggle to intraoperatively identify small or deep thoracoscopically invisible lung nodules or malignant tissue due to changes in lung geometry during surgery, making it difficult to accurately locate cancerous tumors, especially in lung cancer procedures.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system with surgical devices, such as staplers, using an electrode array to measure electrical impedance and generate reconstructions that distinguish conductive and resistive inclusions, enabling the detection of tumor margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical staplers are used for lung resection procedures, then surgical stapling function is achieved, but intraoperative identification of small or deep lung nodules is difficult due to lung geometry changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical impedance tomography (EIT) technology with surgical staplers to create an integrated surgical system. The EIT system includes electrode arrays that can be attached to the stapler jaws, allowing the same device to perform both stapling and tumor localization functions, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical impedance imaging as an intermediary detection method between the surgical stapler and the tumor tissue. Instead of directly visualizing the tumor, the system uses electrical impedance measurements as a mediator to indirectly detect and locate tumor margins, enabling accurate tumor identification without requiring direct visual access
2Measurement precision
If CT images are used to confirm cancer presence, then cancer detection is achieved, but translation to lung geometry during surgery is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary electrical impedance measurements during the surgical procedure to establish baseline impedance values before tumor resection. This preliminary action allows the surgical team to have real-time impedance data available during surgery, making intraoperative localization easier by providing immediate feedback without requiring post-operative CT interpretation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual localization methods (such as hook wires, dyes, fiducial markers) with an electrical field-based detection system. By substituting mechanical localization tools with electrical impedance tomography, the system achieves easier intraoperative localization through real-time electrical measurements that directly correlate with tissue properties
3Illumination intensity
If video-assisted thoracic surgery is used, then surgical visualization is achieved, but detection of small or deep tumors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical impedance as an intermediary parameter to detect tumor tissue properties that are not visible through video-assisted visualization. The electrical impedance measurements serve as a complementary mediator that can detect subtle tissue property changes associated with tumors, thereby improving detection sensitivity without compromising visual illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an electrical measurement dimension to the existing optical visualization dimension of video-assisted thoracic surgery. By incorporating electrical impedance measurements alongside visual illumination, the system creates a multi-dimensional detection approach that improves tumor detection sensitivity while maintaining adequate surgical site visualization
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
Enables accurate intraoperative identification of tumor margins and malignant tissue by providing visual differentiation of conductive and resistive inclusions, enhancing surgical precision in locating cancerous lung nodules.
Implementation Method 1
The processor is configured to control an application of an electrical current across electrodes of the electrode array, measure a voltage difference across electrodes of the electrode array, calculate electrical impedance based on the measured voltage difference
Implementation Method 2
The generated electrical impedance tomography reconstruction may include conductive inclusions and resistive inclusions, wherein the conductive inclusions are visually distinguishable from the resistive inclusions
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a surgical stapler and an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system. The surgical stapler includes a first jaw having an anvil and a second jaw having a stapler cartridge. The EIT system includes an electrode array including a plurality of electrodes operably coupled to the first jaw and/or the second jaw, and a processor. The processor is configured to control an application of an electrical current across electrodes of the electrode array, measure a voltage difference across electrodes of the electrode array, calculate electrical impedance based on the measured voltage difference, and generate an electrical impedance tomography reconstruction based on the calculated electrical impedance.