Surgical Instrument Length Detection Using Joint Angle Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgery assisting devices face challenges in determining the length of surgical instruments, particularly endoscopes, without using exclusive jigs, which limits the use of newer instruments and increases costs due to the need for specialized equipment and potential sterilization requirements.
Innovation Solution
A computing device for a surgery assisting device that includes a freely bendable arm portion with joint portions, which obtains angle information of the joint portions when the surgical instrument is positioned at a predetermined point, and performs a geometric computation to determine the length of the surgical instrument, eliminating the need for jigs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a jig is used to adjust the scope length to a constant length, then the measurement precision of the scope length is improved, but the device complexity increases and sterilization requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (jig with physical markings) with an optical/image processing system. The image processing unit captures images of the scope through the lens barrel, and computational algorithms determine the scope length by analyzing the captured images, eliminating the need for mechanical measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the scope through the lens barrel and uses this copy for measurement rather than direct mechanical contact. The image processing unit generates a digital representation of the scope, allowing length determination without physical measurement instruments.
2Reliability
If an exclusive scope is used for the surgery assisting device, then the reliability of the scope length parameter is improved, but the adaptability decreases and introduction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can accommodate multiple types of scopes from different manufacturers. The image processing unit and computational algorithms are designed to work with any scope that can be observed through the lens barrel, making the surgery assisting device compatible with existing surgical scopes without requiring exclusive proprietary instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The scope itself serves as the measurement object without requiring external measurement tools. By using the scope's own optical path (lens barrel) to capture images of the scope, the system performs self-measurement, eliminating the need for separate measurement instruments and enabling compatibility with various scope types.
3Manufacturing precision
If a jig is used to maintain constant scope length, then the manufacturing precision of the measurement system is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to sterilization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement instruments with an optical-digital system. The measurement is performed through image capture and computational processing, eliminating the need for physical jigs that require sterilization and complex handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the measurement process through image capture. Instead of using physical measurement tools that contact the scope, the system captures optical images and processes them computationally, simplifying operation and eliminating sterilization requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved degree of freedom of a usable surgical instrument is achieved without requiring a use of a jig for a surgery assisting device. A computing device according to the present invention, for a surgery assisting device that is configured to hold a surgical instrument on a distal end portion and includes a freely bendable arm portion by including one or a plurality of joint portions, includes a computing unit that obtains angle information of the joint portions in a state where a distal end of the surgical instrument held by the arm portion is positioned at a predetermined position and determines a length of the surgical instrument by a geometric computation using the angle information.