Structured Light Visualization for Surgical Depth Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems are limited in recognizing and conveying information about concealed structures and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, often failing to provide accurate intraoperative visualization, which can lead to uncertainty and increased risk during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical visualization system utilizing a combination of structured light sources emitting at different wavelengths, an image sensor, and a control circuit to generate a three-dimensional digital representation of anatomical structures, including both surface and subsurface contours, enhancing the clinician's view with real-time, intraoperative data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision of concealed structures and three-dimensional dimensions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into separate modules: a first imaging device for capturing visible light images of surface structures, and a second imaging device for detecting structured light patterns to determine three-dimensional geometry. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in specific measurement tasks, improving overall precision without requiring a single complex system to perform all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple imaging devices and processing circuits to create a comprehensive three-dimensional representation. The first imaging device captures surface visual information while the second device captures geometric data through structured light deformation, and these are merged to provide both visual and dimensional information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Loss of information
If conventional imaging systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of information about concealed structures is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces structured light patterns as an intermediary medium between the imaging device and the concealed structures. The structured light deformations serve as mediators that carry geometric information about three-dimensional objects, allowing the imaging system to indirectly detect concealed structures and their spatial relationships without direct line-of-sight imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface imaging to three-dimensional volumetric visualization by incorporating structured light patterns that encode depth and spatial information. This dimensional expansion allows the system to represent concealed structures and their three-dimensional relationships, reducing information loss about the anatomical architecture.
3Measurement precision
If single-wavelength light sources are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of different tissue layers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple light sources emitting at different wavelengths, where each wavelength is selectively absorbed or reflected by specific tissue layers. This creates local quality differentiation in the optical response, allowing the system to distinguish between surface tissue and deeper structures based on their unique spectral signatures, thereby improving tissue layer differentiation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light sources to optimize penetration depth and tissue interaction. By varying the wavelength across multiple sources, the system can adjust which tissue layers are most effectively visualized, with shorter wavelengths for surface structures and longer wavelengths for deeper tissues, enhancing measurement precision without requiring a single complex multi-functional light source.
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
This solution provides enhanced visualization capabilities, allowing clinicians to confidently navigate and avoid critical structures, reducing the risk of damage and improving surgical precision and efficiency by offering a comprehensive, real-time, three-dimensional representation of the surgical site.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source configured to emit a first pattern of structured light at a first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit a second pattern of structured light at a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength, an image sensor configured to detect the first pattern of structured light and the second pattern of structured light on an anatomical structure
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A visualization system including multiple light sources, an image sensor configured to detect imaging data from the multiple light sources, and a control circuit is disclosed. At least one of the light sources is configured to emit a pattern of structured light. The control circuit is configured to receive the imaging data from the image sensor, generate a three-dimensional digital representation of the anatomical structure from the pattern of structured light detected by the imaging data, obtain metadata from the imaging data, overlay the metadata on the three-dimensional digital representation, receive updated imaging data from the image sensor, and generate an updated three-dimensional digital representation of the anatomical structure based on the updated imaging data. The visualization system can be communicatively coupled to a situational awareness module configured to determine a surgical scenario based on input signals from multiple surgical devices.