Depth and Auxiliary Sensor Integration for Surgical Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-assisted surgical systems lack the precision and responsiveness needed for accurate distance measurements and collision avoidance during surgical procedures due to limited access to depth and auxiliary sensor data.
Innovation Solution
An operation management system that integrates depth data from a depth sensor and auxiliary sensor data to perform operations with a computer-assisted surgical system, enabling precise distance measurements and collision avoidance by using a combination of depth sensors, such as time-of-flight sensors, and auxiliary sensors like user input or force sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer-assisted surgical systems use traditional sensing methods, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement precision and responsiveness are insufficient for accurate distance measurements and collision avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (depth sensors, auxiliary sensors) into an integrated sensing system. The depth sensor and auxiliary sensor are merged to work together, with the auxiliary sensor positioned to detect forces in directions complementary to the depth sensor's primary measurement axis, creating a unified multi-sensor system that achieves high measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions: the depth sensor measures distances along its primary axis, while the auxiliary sensor detects forces in complementary directions. This multi-functional sensor array enables both precise distance measurement and collision avoidance, allowing a single system to handle multiple surgical tasks without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Reliability
If computer-assisted surgical systems integrate multiple sensor types, then measurement precision and collision avoidance improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges depth sensors and auxiliary sensors into a coordinated sensing system where each sensor type complements the other. The auxiliary sensor detects forces in directions not primarily covered by the depth sensor, creating a redundant and reliable sensing network that improves collision avoidance while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously processed and used to adjust surgical instrument control. The auxiliary sensor provides feedback on forces detected in complementary directions, enabling real-time collision avoidance responses. This feedback loop enhances reliability by allowing the system to respond dynamically to detected conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control algorithms.
3Productivity
If computer-assisted surgical systems use limited sensor data, then system operation remains simple, but responsiveness and accuracy deteriorate during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to capture diverse surgical information simultaneously. The depth sensor provides distance measurements along its primary axis while the auxiliary sensor detects forces in complementary directions, creating a comprehensive data set that enables both precise measurements and collision avoidance without requiring separate specialized sensing operations, thus maintaining high surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines depth sensing and auxiliary force sensing into a unified data acquisition system. By merging these sensing functions and processing their data together, the system achieves complete spatial and force information without losing critical data, enabling responsive and accurate surgical operations while maintaining simple integrated system operation rather than requiring multiple separate sensing 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
Enhances the precision, accuracy, and responsiveness of surgical operations by utilizing both depth and auxiliary sensor data, allowing for precise distance measurements and preventing surgical instrument collisions with patient tissue.
Implementation Method 1
obtain, from a depth sensor included in an imaging device, depth data representative of a depth map
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative operation management system is configured to obtain, from a depth sensor included in an imaging device, depth data representative of a depth map for an internal space of a patient, obtain auxiliary sensor data from an auxiliary sensor not included in the imaging device, and perform, based on the depth data and the auxiliary sensor data, an operation associated with a computer-assisted surgical system configured to perform a procedure within the internal space of the patient.