Surgical Shaft Visual Indicator for Vessel Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems lack effective methods to accurately determine the presence and characteristics of blood vessels in the surgical field during minimally invasive procedures, leading to potential vascular damage and increased surgical costs.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, equipped with a sensor and at least one visual indicator at the distal end, and a controller that actuates the visual indicator based on signals from the sensor, providing real-time information on vessel presence and characteristics without the need for additional video displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a visual display system is added to provide real-time vessel identification during minimally invasive surgery, then measurement precision of vessel presence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vessel detection sensor, processing unit, and visual feedback mechanism into an integrated surgical instrument assembly. The sensor detects vessel presence through tissue, the processor analyzes the signal, and the visual indicator (such as an LED or display element) provides immediate feedback at the surgical site, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that translates complex sensor data into simple, intuitive visual signals at the surgical field. This intermediary layer converts electrical impedance changes or optical absorption data into color-coded or intensity-based visual feedback, allowing surgeons to quickly interpret vessel presence without complex data processing or additional monitoring devices
2Measurement precision
If multiple monitoring devices are used to identify vessels during surgery, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cluttered surgical field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vessel detection functionality directly into the surgical instrument itself, combining the sensor, processor, and visual feedback into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for multiple separate monitoring devices and allows the surgeon to operate with a unified tool that provides both surgical function and vessel identification capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions vessel detection from a separate monitoring dimension to an integrated visual dimension at the surgical field. By embedding visual indicators directly at the distal end of the surgical instrument, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the detection process, allowing vessel identification to occur in the same visual plane as the surgical action rather than requiring separate monitoring screens or devices
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 enables accurate and real-time identification of blood vessels, reducing the risk of vascular damage and associated costs, while maintaining the simplicity and efficiency of minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor and at least one visual indicator disposed at a distal end of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
determine characteristics of tissue or an artifact... at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.