Surgical Needle Counting With Sensor Detection and Real-Time Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Accidental retention of surgical needles during operations leads to significant patient safety risks, morbidity, and financial consequences due to manual counting methods being time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A surgical needle counting device with a collecting enclosure and sensor system that automatically detects and counts needles, integrated with machine learning for identification and tracking, ensuring accurate accounting and reducing manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual counting methods are used for surgical needles, then the process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors detect needles as they are introduced into the surgical field, automatically recording each needle without human intervention. This substitution of mechanical manual counting with automated sensing systems directly resolves the contradiction by improving both productivity (faster counting) and reliability (reduced human error).
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service counting where the surgical field itself becomes the counting area. Needles are automatically detected and counted as they are introduced into the field, eliminating the need for separate manual counting procedures. The system serves itself by automatically tracking needles throughout the surgical process without requiring additional human labor for counting operations.
2Reliability
If automated sensor-based counting systems are implemented, then counting accuracy and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counting system is integrated into the existing surgical environment and can count multiple types of surgical items (needles, sponges, instruments) using the same sensor infrastructure. The system serves multiple functions including real-time counting, tracking, and alerting, thereby justifying the increased complexity through multi-functional capability that benefits the entire surgical process rather than just needle counting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software intermediary layer that manages the complexity of sensor data processing. The software acts as a mediator between the physical sensors and the surgical team, translating sensor signals into meaningful counts and alerts. This intermediary software layer handles the computational complexity while presenting a simple interface to users, effectively managing device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time automated needle detection is performed, then patient safety improves by preventing needle retention, but the system requires more sophisticated sensors and processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and counting of needles before they can be lost or retained. By continuously monitoring and recording each needle as it is introduced into the surgical field, the system establishes a baseline count that can be compared against the expected number of needles. This preliminary action prevents needle retention by alerting the surgical team to any discrepancies before the procedure concludes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring needle counts and alerting the surgical team to any anomalies. Sensors provide ongoing feedback about the number of needles in the field, and the system compares actual counts against expected counts, providing immediate feedback when discrepancies occur. This feedback mechanism reduces needle retention risk by enabling real-time correction of potential errors.
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 system provides real-time, accurate needle counting, reducing the risk of retention and injury, enhancing patient safety, and optimizing operating room efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is used to detect the presence of the needle in the collecting enclosure and to identify a type associated with the needle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a surgical needle counting device for an operating room. An example system includes a collecting enclosure and a counting apparatus having a sensor configured for determining when a needle is dropped into the collecting enclosure. The counting apparatus is configured to maintain a count of needles introduced into a surgical field associated with the operating room and a count of needles accounted for in the counting apparatus.