Surgical Visual Overlay Virtual Markers for Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic medical systems lack effective methods for reliable and efficient communication between surgeons and staff during procedures, particularly in complex surgeries where clear visualization and two-way communication are essential for highlighting anatomical areas of interest and documenting surgical steps.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual marking mode in a surgical system that allows surgeons to generate and display virtual markers on a surgical site, which can be fixed to anatomical spaces and remain visible even when the camera view changes, enabling clear communication and documentation through visual overlays on multiple displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional communication methods are used during surgery, then the surgical procedure can proceed, but communication between surgeons and staff is unreliable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates visual copies (virtual markers) of anatomical structures and surgical information that can be overlaid on real-time video feeds. These virtual markers serve as visual copies that communicate surgical intent, anatomical relationships, and procedural steps across multiple displays in the operating room, ensuring consistent information transmission between surgeon and staff.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual overlay system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's intent and the staff's understanding. By translating surgical concepts into visual markers that appear on video feeds and monitors, the system mediates communication, making abstract surgical intentions concrete and visible to all team members simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If visual markers are displayed on camera views, then anatomical areas of interest can be highlighted, but the markers may move or disappear when camera views change
Solution Approach 1:
The system anchors virtual markers to specific anatomical landmarks, tissue structures, or surgical instruments rather than fixed camera positions. This allows markers to maintain their spatial relationship with local anatomical features regardless of camera movement, ensuring that highlighted areas remain accurately positioned as the view changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional camera views to three-dimensional spatial registration of virtual markers. By registering markers in 3D anatomical space and projecting them onto varying 2D camera views, the system maintains marker stability across different angles and perspectives, effectively adding a spatial dimension that preserves marker-position relationships.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual marking mode is added to the surgical system, then communication and documentation capabilities are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual overlay system serves multiple functions within a single integrated platform: it enables real-time communication through virtual markers, documents surgical procedures by recording marker positions and video feeds, provides training capabilities through replay functionality, and maintains compatibility with existing robotic surgical systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication and documentation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges virtual marker technology with the existing robotic surgical control interface and video system. By integrating marker placement, display, and control into the surgeon's existing workflow and equipment, the system adds communication capabilities without requiring separate standalone devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
4Loss of time
If virtual markers are used for documentation, then surgical steps can be recorded for later review, but the system requires additional inputs and controls
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables surgeons to create and place virtual markers directly through the existing robotic control interface without requiring separate documentation equipment or complex additional controls. The surgeon's normal manipulation of robotic instruments automatically generates the documentation trail, allowing the system to serve its own documentation needs through its primary control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically records and stores virtual marker positions, video feeds, and control inputs as they occur during surgery, eliminating the need for post-procedure documentation work. By capturing all relevant data in real-time during the surgical procedure itself, the system prepares complete documentation packages beforehand, ready for immediate review without additional time investment.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system can include a master controller for controlling one or more surgical tools, The system can also include an input on the master controller configured to change the master controller from a first mode into a second mode. The first mode can be a teleoperation mode and the second mode can be a virtual marking mode. In the virtual marking mode, a user is capable of communicating a virtual marker to other staff.