Surgical Instrument Kit Recomposition Using Optical Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reassembly of surgical instrument kits is laborious, time-consuming, and prone to human error due to the need for manual identification and quality control of similar instruments, with existing marking methods being invasive, costly, and risky for patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using optical detection and image recognition to identify surgical instruments on a support plane, comparing acquired images with a database, and guiding operators through a user interface for accurate kit reconstruction without physical marking, enabling hands-free interaction and reduced error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual identification and quality control of surgical instruments is performed, then instruments can be properly identified and checked for non-conformities, but the process becomes laborious, time-consuming, and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and identification with an automated optical detection system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of instruments on the support plane, processes them through computer vision algorithms, and automatically identifies each instrument, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining high accuracy and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-identification of instruments through their inherent visual characteristics. Each instrument is automatically recognized by the image processing system based on its shape, size, and distinctive features, without requiring manual intervention or external tagging. The instrument itself provides the information needed for identification through its visual appearance.
2Ease of operation
If surgical instruments are engraved with bar codes or RFID tags for identification, then identification becomes easier, but the method becomes invasive, compromises medical device compliance, and creates safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical marking methods (engraving, tagging) with an optical detection system that reads visual features of instruments. Instead of modifying instruments with codes or tags, the system uses image processing to identify instruments based on their natural visual characteristics, eliminating all invasive modifications while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of instruments for identification purposes. Instead of marking the physical instrument, the system captures optical images and processes them to create a digital representation that contains all necessary identification information, separating the identification function from the physical instrument itself.
3Reliability
If operators wear gloves and protective devices during washing, then hygiene standards are maintained, but the use of instruments and keyboards becomes inconvenient and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual keyboard input with automated optical detection and image processing. The system automatically captures images of instruments, processes them through computer vision algorithms, and identifies instruments without requiring operators to manually input data. This eliminates the need for operators to remove gloves or use keyboards while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic identification and data entry without operator intervention. The optical detection system and image processing algorithms handle the entire identification process autonomously, allowing operators to maintain protective equipment while the system independently completes tasks that would otherwise require manual interaction with keyboards or instruments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple similar instruments are present in kits, then comprehensive surgical coverage is achieved, but instruments become easily confused with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual differentiation with automated image processing and pattern recognition. The system captures detailed images of each instrument and uses computer vision algorithms to analyze subtle visual differences in shape, size, contours, and distinctive features, enabling reliable differentiation of similar instruments that are difficult to distinguish through manual inspection alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates detailed digital copies (images) of each instrument that capture all visual characteristics. These digital representations allow for precise comparison and differentiation through image processing, preserving all subtle distinguishing features that might be missed in manual inspection, thereby enabling reliable identification even among very similar instruments.
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 method significantly reduces recomposition time, minimizes human error, enhances safety, and lowers costs by automating the identification and sequencing of instruments, ensuring complete and correct kits without invasive marking.
Implementation Method 1
acquire the images of such instruments by means of an optical detection device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for the recomposition of a kit of surgical instruments is provided to dispose a plurality of surgical instruments on a support plane in a support device; to acquire an image of the surgical instruments by means of at least one optical detection device; and to recognize each surgical instrument by processing the acquired images.