Surgical Instrument Simulation for Data Interpretation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instrument data, such as usage data, is often raw and requires significant analysis, interpretation, and correlation to be useful, limiting its accessibility to only those with specialized skills.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument with a memory to store usage data, a processing component to generate a simulation of prior use based on this data, and a display component to visually present the simulation, allowing for the identification of proper or improper events without needing extensive data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If surgical instrument usage data is collected and stored in detailed form, then the data contains valuable information for diagnostics and research, but the data becomes complex and requires specialized skills to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage data informationVSAvoiddata analysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual simulation copy of the actual surgical instrument usage based on collected data. Instead of presenting raw data directly, the system generates a simplified visual representation that replicates the operational sequence, making the information accessible without requiring specialized data interpretation skills

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that translates complex usage data into visual simulations. This intermediary component acts as a bridge between the raw data and the end user, automatically performing the analysis and correlation that would otherwise require specialized expertise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detailed usage data is stored for later analysis, then comprehensive diagnostic information is available, but significant time is required to analyze and interpret the data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddata analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing of usage data by automatically generating visual simulations at the time of data collection. This preliminary action prepares the diagnostic information in advance, so when analysis is needed, the work is already substantially completed, significantly reducing the time required for interpretation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If raw usage data is presented to users, then complete operational information is available, but only trained professionals can interpret and make inferences from it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational data completenessVSAvoiddata interpretation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the presentation parameters of usage data from raw numerical or textual formats into visual simulation parameters. By changing how the data is displayed (from abstract data to concrete visual sequences), the system makes the information interpretable by a broader audience while maintaining complete operational information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3777710A1Systems and methods for simulating prior use of a surgical instrument based on obtained surgical instrument data
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP3777710A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777710A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777710A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A surgical system (10,20), comprising: a surgical instrument (100) configured, in use thereof, to generate usage data and time-stamp information; a processing component (900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400) configured to receive the usage data and time-stamp information from the surgical instrument, the processing component configured to generate a simulation (1000, 2000) of the prior use of the surgical instrument based upon the usage data and time-stamp information; and a display component (510, 610, 710, 910) operably coupled to the processing component and configured to visually display: at least one of a slideshow or an animation based on the usage data and time-stamp information.