Surgical Imaging Field-of-View Control Using Eye Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical imaging systems often have a limited and fixed field of view that requires manual adjustment by the surgeon, which can be cumbersome and disruptive during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts the field of view automatically or semi-automatically based on the user's gaze, using eye-tracking technology to determine the user's focus and adjust the view accordingly, with optional manual confirmation or continuous adjustment options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of field of view is used, then the surgeon can control the view, but it is cumbersome and disruptive during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically adjusting the field of view based on eye-tracking data. The surgeon's gaze direction is detected and automatically translates into field of view adjustment, eliminating the need for manual controls and allowing the system to serve itself without human intervention during critical surgical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (hand controls, knobs, or physical adjustments) with an automated system that uses eye-tracking sensors and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the mechanical interaction between the surgeon and the imaging system, allowing seamless automatic field of view changes based on gaze direction.
2Extent of automation
If automatic field of view adjustment based on gaze is implemented, then manual intervention is eliminated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple capabilities into a unified platform: eye-tracking, gaze analysis, field of view adjustment, and surgical imaging. This consolidation allows the system to perform multiple functions (tracking, analyzing, adjusting, and imaging) through a single integrated architecture, managing complexity through functional consolidation rather than separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives eye-tracking data, analyzes gaze direction, and translates it into field of view adjustment commands. This intermediary function acts as a mediator between the eye-tracking sensors and the imaging system, simplifying the overall architecture by creating a dedicated processing layer that handles the transformation between different system components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous field of view adjustment is performed, then the view always follows gaze, but abrupt changes may be disconcerting to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic adjustment by continuously adapting the field of view to the user's gaze direction in real-time. The field of view dynamically follows eye movements, automatically adjusting to maintain the region of interest in the center of view. This dynamic behavior ensures the system responds to user needs while maintaining comfort through smooth, continuous transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to a system (110), a method, and a computer program for a surgical imaging system (100), and to a corresponding surgical imaging system comprising such a system for a surgical imaging system. The system (110) is configured to obtain an eye-tracking sensor signal from an eye-tracking system (130). The system is configured to determine a gaze of a user of a surgical imaging device (120) of the surgical imaging system on a portion of a field of view of the surgical imaging device based on the eye-tracking sensor signal. The system is configured to adjust the field of view of the surgical imaging device based on the gaze of the user on the portion of the field of view.