Surgical Visualization System for Resection Margin Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems are limited in their ability to recognize and convey information about concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, leading to uncertainties in identifying critical structures during surgical procedures, which can result in inadequate surgical outcomes due to incomplete visualization and potential damage to vital tissues.
Innovation Solution
A surgical visualization system that employs a structured light emitter and spectral light emitter to create a detailed model of anatomical structures, allowing for the detection of critical structures and determination of their margins, using image sensors to reflect electromagnetic radiation and control circuits to construct models and determine tissue locations, thereby enhancing intraoperative decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision of concealed structures and three-dimensional spatial information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (optical imaging, ultrasound imaging, and spectral imaging) into a single integrated surgical visualization system. The optical imaging device captures surface anatomy, the ultrasound imaging device penetrates tissue to visualize internal structures, and the spectral imaging device identifies tissue types and margins. This merging of complementary imaging techniques resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive visualization precision while managing system complexity through unified processing and display architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs image processing circuits as intermediaries that receive signals from multiple imaging devices, register their data in a common coordinate system, and synthesize a unified three-dimensional visualization. This intermediary processing layer integrates information from different modalities, enabling precise representation of concealed structures and spatial relationships without requiring the surgeon to interpret multiple separate images, thus improving visualization precision while simplifying the user interface.
2Loss of information
If more imaging modalities are integrated, then the information completeness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging functions into separate specialized devices (optical imaging device for surface anatomy, ultrasound imaging device for internal structures, spectral imaging device for tissue characterization) while integrating their outputs through a centralized image processing circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing individual complexity while the integrated processing ensures complete information synthesis without overwhelming the user with multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing circuit serves multiple functions: it processes signals from all imaging modalities, performs registration in a common coordinate system, generates three-dimensional visualizations, and displays integrated information. This multi-functional design consolidates complexity into a single universal processing unit rather than requiring separate processing systems for each imaging modality, thereby improving information completeness while managing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time three-dimensional visualization is provided, then the surgical precision improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic scanning and processing cycles rather than continuous high-power operation. The optical, ultrasound, and spectral imaging devices capture data in sequential periodic manner, and the image processing circuit updates the three-dimensional visualization in real-time based on these periodic inputs. This periodic action enables real-time surgical precision while reducing peak energy consumption compared to continuous high-resolution imaging of all modalities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different imaging modalities and processing intensities to different regions of interest within the surgical field. Rather than uniformly processing the entire surgical site, the system prioritizes areas where concealed structures or critical margins are detected, applying higher resolution and energy consumption only where needed. This local quality approach maintains surgical precision in critical areas while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-energy processing throughout the entire field.
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 provides improved visualization and data synthesis, enabling clinicians to accurately identify and avoid critical structures, reducing the risk of damage and improving surgical precision and patient outcomes by providing real-time, three-dimensional representations of anatomical structures and their relationships.
Implementation Method 1
a structured light emitter configured to emit a structured pattern of electromagnetic radiation onto an anatomical structure... an image sensor configured to detect the structured pattern of electromagnetic radiation reflected off the anatomical structure
Implementation Method 2
a spectral light emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation including a plurality of wavelengths. At least one wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths is selected to penetrate a portion of the anatomical structure and reflect off a subject tissue
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A surgical visualization system that can include a structured light emitter, a spectral light emitter, an image sensor, and a control circuit is disclosed herein. The structured light emitter can emit a structured pattern of electromagnetic radiation onto an anatomical structure. The spectral light emitter can emit electromagnetic radiation including a plurality of wavelengths. At least one of the wavelengths can penetrate a portion of the anatomical structure and reflect off a subject tissue. The image sensor can detect the structured pattern of electromagnetic radiation reflected off the anatomical structure and the at least one wavelength reflected off the subject tissue. The control circuit can receive signals from the image sensor, construct a model of the anatomical structure, detect a location of the subject tissue, and determine a margin about the subject tissue, based on at least one signal received from the image sensor.