Surgical Visualization Correlating Instrument Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems are limited in their ability to recognize and convey concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, leading to incomplete visualization of surgical sites during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical visualization system that includes a surgical instrument with an end effector, a surgical visualization system to track the instrument, and a control circuit to derive and correlate visual and functional data sets, enabling the identification of critical structures below tissue surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional imaging systems are used to visualize the surgical site, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the ability to recognize and convey concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including imaging system data, surgical instrument tracking data, and preoperative imaging data into a single integrated visualization platform. This merging of previously separate systems allows comprehensive visualization of concealed structures while maintaining a unified user interface that does not overly complicate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system overlays three-dimensional information from preoperative CT or MRI scans onto the two-dimensional surgical field view, creating an augmented reality experience. This dimensional enhancement allows clinicians to see concealed structures below the tissue surface without adding physical complexity to the surgical environment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple data sources are integrated to provide comprehensive visualization, then the visualization capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control circuit as an intermediary that automatically processes, correlates, and integrates data from multiple sources including imaging systems, surgical instruments, and preoperative scans. This intermediary handles the complexity of data fusion behind the scenes, presenting simplified, precisely correlated information to the clinician without requiring them to manage the underlying system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously tracks the surgical instrument's position and provides real-time feedback by correlating it with the visual field and preoperative imaging data. This feedback mechanism automatically updates the augmented visualization to show precise spatial relationships between the instrument and concealed structures, maintaining high identification precision without requiring manual intervention to manage complexity.
3Productivity
If real-time tracking and data correlation are implemented, then the decision-making capability is enhanced, but the computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of preoperative imaging data before the surgical procedure begins, creating ready-to-use three-dimensional models and spatial relationships. By pre-processing this data offline, the system reduces the computational burden during the actual surgery, allowing real-time tracking and correlation to proceed with lower energy consumption while maintaining enhanced decision-making capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system includes a surgical instrument including an end effector configured to treat tissue at a surgical field during the surgical procedure, a surgical visualization system configured to track the surgical instrument in the surgical field, and a control circuit configured to derive a first data set from the surgical visualization system indicative of a visual aspect of the surgical instrument relative to the surgical field, derive a second data set from the surgical instrument indicative of a functional aspect of the surgical instrument, and correlate the first data set with the second data set.