Surgical Torque Sensing for Real-Time Plan Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of power tools in robot-assisted surgery reduces tactile feedback for surgeons, making it difficult to identify necessary deviations from preoperative plans, which can lead to potentially harmful surgical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A torque sensor and decision support system that monitors surgical procedures, providing recommendations and adjustments based on torque data to ensure appropriate deviations from preoperative plans, even in the absence of direct human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power tools are operated autonomously in robot-assisted surgery, then productivity and precision are improved, but loss of information (tactile feedback) increases, making it difficult to identify necessary deviations from preoperative plans
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a decision support system that provides real-time feedback to the surgeon by monitoring torque data from the power tool and comparing it against expected values. When deviations are detected, the system alerts the surgeon, effectively restoring the loss of tactile feedback information through electronic monitoring and communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The decision support system acts as an intermediary between the autonomously operated power tool and the surgeon. It processes torque data, identifies deviations from preoperative plans, and communicates relevant information to the surgeon, bridging the information gap created by autonomous operation.
2Ease of operation
If power tools are operated autonomously without human input, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to inability to identify necessary deviations from preoperative plans
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains reliability during autonomous operation by continuously monitoring torque data and providing feedback when deviations occur. This allows the autonomous system to operate easily while maintaining surgical outcome accuracy through real-time detection and communication of anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical tactile feedback that would naturally occur during manual operation with an electronic monitoring and communication system. The decision support system substitutes the surgeon's direct tactile sensing with electronic sensors and digital communication channels.
3Reliability
If torque monitoring and decision support systems are implemented, then reliability is improved by enabling necessary adjustments to surgical plans, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decision support system is designed to be universally applicable across different surgical procedures and power tools. By creating a multi-functional system that can handle various torque patterns and surgical scenarios, the complexity is justified by the broad reliability improvements across multiple applications.
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
Ensures positive surgical outcomes by enabling necessary adjustments to surgical plans, even when power tools are operated autonomously, by utilizing torque data and machine learning to identify and implement changes in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
a torque sensor for measuring a torque characteristic of the power tool... receive torque data from the torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a power tool that generates torque; a torque sensor for measuring a torque characteristic of the power tool; a user interface; at least one processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the at least one processor that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: receive torque data from the torque sensor, the torque data corresponding to the measured torque characteristic; evaluate the torque data; and execute a predetermined action based on the evaluation.