Surgical Sensor System for Tissue Deformation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as VATS, face challenges in precisely locating tumors and determining resection margins due to tissue deformation and the inability to palpate lung tissue, leading to potential tumor recurrence and trauma to healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a surgical instrument with first and second sensors that measure positions and orientations relative to each other, a controller that calculates distances and implements deformation algorithms to predict tissue changes during surgery, and provides auditory, visual, and haptic feedback to ensure precise resection margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgical techniques (VATS) are used, then patient trauma is reduced and recovery time is shortened, but tissue deformation occurs and tumor localization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs real-time feedback through sensors that continuously monitor tissue deformation and physiological motion during surgery. This feedback is processed by a controller that adjusts the resection margin measurements dynamically, compensating for tissue movement and deformation to maintain precise tumor localization throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary registration of anatomical landmarks and tumor location before surgery begins. Pre-operative imaging data is integrated with real-time sensor data to establish a baseline reference frame that accounts for expected tissue deformation, enabling the system to predict and compensate for positional changes during the surgical procedure
2Ease of operation
If the lung is collapsed during VATS, then surgical access is improved, but tumor localization and resection margin determination become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors embedded in or near the tissue mass continuously provide feedback on tissue position and deformation even when the lung is collapsed. The system processes this real-time data to dynamically adjust resection margin measurements, ensuring accurate tumor boundary identification despite the altered physiological state of the collapsed lung
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual palpation and visual assessment with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. Optical sensors, electromagnetic trackers, and image processing systems substitute for traditional tactile and visual methods, enabling precise measurement of resection margins through small incisions without requiring direct tactile feedback
3Measurement precision
If conventional open chest procedures are used, then tumor resection precision is improved, but orthopedic trauma and recovery complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces sensors, imaging devices, and computational algorithms as intermediaries between the surgeon and the tissue. These intermediaries provide indirect but precise measurement capabilities through small ports, eliminating the need for direct visual and tactile access required by open procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy through electronic and optical mediation
4Loss of information
If palpation of lung tissue is attempted during minimally invasive surgery, then tissue characterization may be improved, but surgical trauma and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical palpation with non-contact or minimally contact-based sensing technologies. Optical coherence tomography, electromagnetic sensors, and other non-mechanical detection methods provide tissue characterization information without requiring the surgeon to physically manipulate or expand incisions for palpation access
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a surgical instrument and a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit insider or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to the surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. The second sensor is configured to receive the signal from the first sensor. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and/or the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.