Surgical Head-Frame VR Distraction to Reduce Awake-Surgery Anxiety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients undergoing awake surgical procedures, particularly neurological surgeries, experience anxiety due to the need to interact with surgeons, making it difficult for them to focus on tasks, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

An immersive distraction apparatus coupled with a surgical head frame, providing immersive distraction therapy through a virtual reality experience, including visual and auditory components, to desensitize patients to their surroundings and enhance task performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a patient undergoes awake surgical procedures to treat neurological conditions, then the patient can interact with doctors during the procedure, but the patient experiences anxiety that makes it difficult to focus on tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient ability to focus on tasksVSAvoidpatient anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual reality headsets and immersive distraction devices as intermediaries between the patient and the surgical environment. These devices deliver virtual reality content that serves as a mediator to reduce anxiety and improve task focus by creating a distracting immersive experience that shields the patient from stressful surroundings while maintaining task performance capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sensory parameters of the patient's experience by introducing virtual reality visual and auditory stimuli. This parameter change transforms the patient's perceptual state from anxious and focused on surgical stimuli to immersed in a controlled virtual environment, thereby improving task focus while maintaining the ability to interact with the surgical team

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the patient is immersed in a virtual reality environment to reduce anxiety, then the patient can focus better on tasks, but the patient may become isolated from the surgical environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient task performanceVSAvoidpatient awareness of surgical environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial immersion where the virtual reality environment is designed to provide sufficient distraction for anxiety reduction and task focus improvement without completely isolating the patient from the surgical environment. The virtual reality content is calibrated to be engaging enough to reduce anxiety but not so immersive as to prevent necessary patient-surgeon interaction and environmental awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the virtual reality system monitors patient responses and adjusts the level of immersion accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the patient receives sufficient distraction to improve task performance while maintaining adequate awareness of the surgical environment for safe interaction with the surgical team

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The apparatus effectively reduces patient anxiety during surgeries by immersing them in a virtual reality environment, allowing them to focus on tasks and interact with surgeons more effectively.

Implementation Method 1

In an exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a bone anchored conduction of sound to enhance the distraction experience

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction:

Implementation Method 2

In some embodiments, the apparatus uses the frame connector vibratory tactile stimuli which aids to enhance distraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12370338B2Immersive distraction therapy

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 BIOVENTURES LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an immersive distraction apparatus including an attachment portion including an engagement element and a front plate having two cut outs fitting lenses therein and a base portion coupled with the attachment portion having a display aperture sized to receive a device. The immersive distraction apparatus mountable on a surgical head frame using one or more connectors such that an immersive distraction therapy can be provided to a patient undergoing surgery via a virtual reality environment.