Surgical Implant Non-Visible Indicia Robotic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical implants, such as mesh, sutures, and tacks, face challenges in deployment and securing to tissue due to ergonomic difficulties and time-consuming processes, especially during robotic surgeries, where fiducial demarcation is needed to guide robotic systems effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating non-visible indicia, made from indocyanine green, which can be detected by surgical robots using ultraviolet light, to facilitate the positioning and securing of surgical mesh and sutures/tacks, with customizable patterns to guide robotic systems and reduce surgical fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional suturing and mesh securing methods are used manually, then the surgeon can directly control the positioning and securing process, but the process becomes time-consuming and leads to surgical fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical suturing and mesh securing operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic system uses end effectors to perform suturing and mesh attachment operations automatically, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while maintaining surgical precision through robotic control and guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical mesh includes self-aligning features and fiducial markers that enable the robotic system to automatically position and secure the mesh without requiring manual alignment by the surgeon. The mesh design incorporates elements that guide the robotic end effectors to the correct positions, allowing the system to service itself during the surgical process.
2Measurement precision
If fiducial demarcation is added to the surgical implant, then the robotic system can accurately detect and position the implant, but the implant structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates fiducial markers with distinct optical properties (fluorescent or radio-opaque materials) that create visible contrasts against the surgical mesh background. These color/opacity changes enable the robotic detecting device to easily identify and track the fiducial markers for precise positioning without adding significant structural complexity to the mesh itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiducial demarcation is segmented into discrete, identifiable markers distributed across the mesh rather than a continuous complex pattern. This segmentation allows the robotic system to detect individual reference points for positioning while keeping the overall mesh structure simple and maintainable.
3Extent of automation
If non-visible indicia are used on the implant, then the robotic detecting device can detect the indicia for positioning, but the human eye cannot see the indicia during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fluorescent or radio-opaque fiducial markers that are invisible to the human eye in normal lighting but detectable by specialized robotic sensors. The markers exhibit specific optical properties (fluorescence under UV light or radio-opacity on X-ray) that enable robotic detection while remaining imperceptible to human vision during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system (fluorescent detectors, radio-opaque detectors) that bridges the gap between the non-visible indicia and the robotic control system. This intermediary allows the robotic system to perceive and process information from the indicia without requiring the human surgeon to directly observe them.
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 use of non-visible indicia allows for precise and efficient deployment and securing of surgical implants, reducing surgical time and fatigue by enabling robotic systems to accurately position and secure mesh and sutures/tacks, enhancing the precision and speed of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the indicia is configured to be reflected by ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present disclosure a surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical implant and a camera. The surgical implant includes indicia that is non-visible to a human eye. The camera is configured to detect the indicia on the surgical implant.