Wearable Surgical Eyewear With Eye-Tracked Lighting and Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices in surgical suites lack the ability to dynamically adjust lighting conditions and capture images/videos for teaching purposes, while also providing real-time feedback on user fatigue and instrument tracking.
Innovation Solution
A wearable medical device with integrated imaging and sensing capabilities, including a frame with lenses, lamp devices, and a controller that adjusts lighting based on user eye movements and environmental conditions, captures images/videos, and tracks instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional medical devices are used in surgical suites, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to dynamically adjust lighting, capture images/videos, and provide real-time feedback on user fatigue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate functions (lighting control, image capture, video recording, eye tracking, and fatigue monitoring) into a single integrated wearable device. The frame structure houses lenses, sensors, and processing units that work together to provide comprehensive surgical assistance, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures images and videos of the surgical field, tracks eye movements to monitor user fatigue, controls lighting conditions, and provides real-time feedback. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace several traditional medical tools, significantly improving versatility without requiring proportional increases in operational complexity.
2Productivity
If manual lighting adjustment is used in surgical suites, then device complexity is minimized, but surgical efficiency and adaptability to different surgical conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates eye tracking sensors that monitor the surgeon's eye movements and gaze direction. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust lighting focus and intensity based on where the surgeon is looking, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and significantly improving surgical efficiency by keeping the surgical field optimally illuminated at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control system operates autonomously by detecting surgical conditions and automatically adjusting illumination parameters. The device monitors environmental light levels, surgical field conditions, and user eye movements, then self-adjusts lighting without requiring manual intervention, thereby enhancing productivity while managing complexity through automation.
3Loss of information
If traditional imaging equipment is used for surgical recording, then device portability is maintained, but the ability to provide real-time feedback and integrated monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges high-quality imaging capabilities with multiple sensing functions (eye tracking, lighting sensors, environmental monitors) into a single portable unit. This integration ensures comprehensive surgical procedure documentation while simultaneously providing real-time feedback on various parameters, eliminating the need for separate recording equipment and enhancing information capture quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical imaging equipment with a compact, electronics-based system that uses digital sensors, processors, and wireless communication. This substitution enables integrated sensing and processing capabilities in a portable form factor, significantly improving information documentation quality while managing complexity through modern electronic integration rather than mechanical systems.
4Measurement precision
If eye movement detection is added to wearable devices, then user fatigue monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple specialized sensors positioned at specific locations on the frame to detect different aspects of eye movement (gaze direction, blink frequency, pupil dilation). Each sensor is optimized for its specific measurement function, and the data from these distributed sensors is processed to provide comprehensive fatigue monitoring. This localized approach improves measurement precision while managing complexity through functional specialization.
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
Provides adjustable lighting, records surgical procedures for review, and monitors user fatigue, enhancing surgical efficiency and training opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor coupled to the lens and configured to sense eye movement of a user
Implementation Method 2
At least one lamp device is coupled to the frame and configured to emit light outward from the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
A wearable medical device includes a frame and a lens coupled to the frame. The lens is configured to be positioned proximate eyes of a user. At least one lamp device is coupled to the frame. The at least one lamp device emits light forward from the frame. A controller activates and controls the at least one lamp device.