Surgical Instrument Pattern Generating Member for Visual-Motor Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimal invasive surgery poses challenges due to dissociation of visual perception and motor system coordination, exacerbated by indirect vision and three-dimensional motor control changes, which complicates surgical instrument handling and increases training time and risk.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument assembly with a pattern generating member that projects a light pattern, allowing the surgeon to correlate visual perception with motor movements through a correlated movement of the projector, enhancing spatial awareness and precision during minimal invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect vision is used in minimal invasive surgery, then the surgical site can be accessed through small incisions, but visual perception and motor system coordination become dissociated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera, monitor, and control mechanism that mediates between the surgeon's motor actions and visual perception. The camera captures real-time images of the surgical site and displays them on a monitor, while the control mechanism translates surgeon's hand movements into corresponding movements of surgical instruments, thereby reconnecting visual-motor coordination through an intermediary pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical visual-motor linkage present in open surgery with an optical-electronic-mechanical system. Instead of direct visual feedback from the surgical field, the system uses optical capture (camera), electronic transmission (monitor), and mechanical transformation (control mechanism) to provide indirect visual feedback, thereby substituting the natural mechanical connection with a technologically-mediated system
2Loss of information
If two-dimensional monitor display is used for remote vision, then the surgical field can be visualized, but spatial and depth perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs stereoscopic imaging technology that adds a third dimension to the visual display. By presenting slightly different images to each eye and using binocular vision, the system creates a three-dimensional perceptual experience from two-dimensional displays, thereby recovering depth and spatial information that would otherwise be lost in flat monoscopic viewing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of visual information presentation by introducing stereoscopic depth encoding, adjustable focus, and variable field of view. These parameter changes allow the display system to convey spatial relationships and depth information in ways that enhance the surgeon's spatial perception despite the inherent limitations of two-dimensional display media
3Manufacturing precision
If surgical robot control is used, then surgical precision can be improved, but the connection between visual perception and motor system becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system that provides real-time visual and haptic information to the surgeon during robot-assisted surgery. The visual feedback through the monitor shows the actual position and movement of surgical instruments, while haptic feedback through the control mechanism provides tactile sensation of tissue interaction, thereby maintaining visual-motor coordination despite the intermediate robotic system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability in the robot control system, allowing the degree of automation and level of surgeon control to be adjusted in real-time. The system can dynamically switch between fully automated robotic control and manual surgeon control, enabling optimization of visual-motor coordination based on the specific surgical task and surgeon preference
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 solution provides improved visual perception and precision in handling surgical instruments, reducing training time and minimizing surgical errors by enabling better spatial awareness and motor coordination, thus facilitating safer and more efficient minimal invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a pattern generating member which projects a light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a correlated set for minimal invasive surgery comprising a surgical instrument and a pattern generating member, a surgical system, a training kit, a method of training and a method of performing a minimal invasive surgery. The surgical instrument comprises a handle portion, a surgical tool and a body portion connecting the handle portion to the surgical tool. The pattern generating member comprises a pattern light source and a projector for projecting a light pattern. The projector is adapted for being at least temporarily fixed to the body portion of the surgical instrument such that a movement of said surgical tool results in a correlated movement of said projector.