Body-Mounted Surgical Camera Tracking for Obstruction-Free Recording
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Recording surgical procedures is challenging due to practical implementation issues in the surgical environment, including obstructions, unstable camera mounts, and poor video quality caused by static camera views and bright operating room lights, which can lead to incorrect machine-generated predictions and analyses.
Innovation Solution
A body-mounted camera system using machine learning approaches to automatically adjust camera positions and settings, such as shifting focal length and brightness, and utilizing multiple recording devices to maintain focus on key regions of interest, while reducing bandwidth requirements through compression and encryption, and integrating with a 'black box' system for automated annotation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed stand camera is used to record surgical procedures, then the camera remains stable, but the view is static and prone to being obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed stand camera to a dynamic wearable camera system that moves with the surgeon. The camera is mounted on the surgeon's body (head, chest, or shoulder) allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and viewing angle as the surgeon moves, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining stability through body-mounted positioning.
2Area of stationary object
If an overhead camera is used to provide a comprehensive view, then the view coverage is improved, but the view is blocked by the head of the person performing the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the camera overhead and having it blocked by the surgeon's head, the patent inverts the mounting approach by attaching the camera to the surgeon's own body. This positions the camera in front of the surgeon's head, eliminating the obstruction while maintaining comprehensive view coverage of the surgical field.
3Length of moving object
If a head set mount is used to position the camera, then the camera is positioned close to the surgical field, but it strains the neck of the operator and is not stable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera mounting options into multiple body positions (head, chest, shoulder) rather than relying on a single head set mount. Each position offers different advantages: head mount provides closest proximity, chest mount reduces neck strain, and shoulder mount offers stability. This segmentation allows selection of the optimal mounting position for each surgical scenario.
4Measurement precision
If high shutter speeds are used to capture clear images, then the image sharpness is improved, but the bright overhead operating room lights negatively impact the recording quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a hood or shade structure - that blocks the direct path of bright overhead operating room lights to the camera sensor. This intermediary prevents the harmful light from reaching the camera while allowing the surgeon to work under the same lights, thus maintaining image sharpness without being negatively impacted by the operating room illumination.
Data Source
AI summary
An object or body-mounted camera apparatus for recording surgery is provided that is adapted for tracking a relevant visual field of an on-going operation. To help maintain visibility and/or focus of the visual field, specific machine learning approaches are proposed in combination with control commands to shift a physical positioning or a perspective of the camera apparatus. Additional variations are directed to tracking obstructions based on the visual field of the camera, which can be utilized for determining a primary recording for use when there are multiple cameras being used in concert.