Automated Surgical Tool Pairing via Image Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual pairing and configuration of surgical input devices with surgical tools in operating rooms are time-consuming, imprecise, and prone to human error, requiring multiple devices and increasing clutter and confusion.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically pairs surgical input devices with identified surgical tools using image processing and machine learning classifiers to analyze real-time video data, allowing for automatic selection of tool functionalities and input device modalities based on intraoperative images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pairing and configuration of surgical input devices with surgical tools is performed, then users can control different tools during surgical procedures, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects surgical tools in the operating room and configures appropriate input devices without requiring manual user intervention. The automated system identifies tools, determines their functionalities, and establishes pairings autonomously, eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone manual configuration process while maintaining reliable tool-input device associations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of pairing and configuring devices with an automated computer vision system using machine learning classifiers. The system processes images to detect tools and automatically establishes control relationships, substituting human manual operations with an automated digital system that improves both speed and accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical input devices are used to control different surgical tools, then comprehensive tool control is achieved, but device clutter and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables a single surgical input device to control multiple different surgical tools by automatically detecting which tools are present and configuring the input device to provide appropriate controls for each. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple dedicated input devices while maintaining comprehensive tool control capability, thereby reducing device clutter and user confusion
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the configuration of input devices based on the real-time detection of surgical tools in the operating room. The input device automatically adjusts its functionality and control mappings according to which tools are currently present and being used, providing versatile control without requiring multiple static devices
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatically configuring a surgical tool and a surgical input device for the surgical tool are provided. A system receives one or more images and identifies, based at least in part on the one or more images, the surgical tool from a plurality of surgical tools. Identifying the surgical tool from the plurality of surgical tools may comprise identifying the surgical tool from the plurality of surgical tools based at least in part on classification output data generated by one or more classifiers applied to the one or more images. The system generates an instruction to pair the surgical input device with the surgical tool.