Surgical Instrument Traceability Using Visual and Weight Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracing surgical instruments in hospitals are inefficient and prone to human error, as they rely on visual identification or marking instruments with 2D codes or RFID labels, which are not feasible for all shapes and sizes, and do not account for instruments that cannot be marked or are used in three-dimensional configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method using a digital camera and precision scale to capture images and measure the weight of surgical instruments, processing this data to identify them by comparing against a database of visual and weight characteristics, allowing for precise identification without altering the instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual identification or marking instruments with 2D codes or RFID labels is used, then traceability can be achieved, but the method is time-consuming, prone to human error, and not feasible for all instrument shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and marking processes with an automated optical recognition system. The system uses a camera to capture images of surgical instruments and automatically identifies them through image processing and pattern recognition algorithms, eliminating the need for manual entry and reducing human error while significantly reducing identification time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (digital images) of surgical instruments and stores them in a database. During traceability operations, the system captures images of instruments and compares them against the stored copies to identify instruments, eliminating the need for physical marking while maintaining accurate identification
2Extent of automation
If 2D codes or RFID labels are marked on surgical instruments, then automatic identification is possible, but instruments with varying shapes and dimensions cannot be marked, and technical surfaces cannot be engraved or marked without altering their function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal optical recognition system that can identify all types of surgical instruments regardless of their shape, size, or surface characteristics. The system uses multiple imaging angles and advanced image processing to recognize instruments without requiring any physical marking, making it adaptable to all instrument types including those with technical surfaces that cannot be marked
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures images of different portions of surgical instruments (e.g., handle, shaft, tip) and uses local feature recognition to identify instruments. By analyzing specific local characteristics of instrument portions rather than requiring marks on the entire instrument, the system can identify instruments with varying shapes and dimensions without altering their function
3Extent of automation
If 2D codes are read using an optical reader, then instrument identification can be automated, but codes are difficult to read correctly during surgical interventions (may be covered in blood) and deteriorate over time due to wear from sterilisation cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and stores digital images of surgical instruments in advance, creating a database of instrument appearances before they are used in surgery. This preliminary action ensures that instrument identification can be performed later by comparing current images against the stored reference images, eliminating the need to read codes during surgical interventions when they may be covered in blood or deteriorated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of surgical instruments through imaging and stores them in a database. Instead of relying on physical 2D codes that can be damaged or obscured, the system uses these digital copies for identification by comparing captured images against the stored copies, ensuring reliable identification even when physical codes are unreadable
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is a computer device for tracing (100) surgical instruments (DMi, i being a positive integer) in a hospital environment, said device (100) comprising: —a support platform (10) designed to receive a surgical instrument (DMi, i being a positive integer), a digital camera (20) designed to capture at least one digital image (I) comprising a view from above of at least a portion of the surgical instrument (DMi), an electronic circuit for processing images (30) configured for detecting in said at least one digital image (I) at least one visual characteristic of said surgical instrument (DMi) and for determining at least one piece of visual data (P_PIC) associated with said pictorial element, a digital scale (40) configured to measure the weight of the surgical instrument (DMi) and to determine weight data (D_PDSi) containing information relating to the measured weight; the present invention also relates to the associated method.