Surgical Visualization System Coordinate Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical imaging systems are limited in their ability to recognize and convey information about concealed structures and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, leading to uncertainty in the location of critical anatomical structures during surgical procedures, which can result in inaccurate dissection and potential damage to vital tissues.

Innovation Solution

A surgical visualization system that incorporates a control circuit capable of generating images based on electromagnetic radiation, defining coordinate systems, and providing transfer functions to adjust surgical instrument controls, allowing for improved orientation and control of surgical instruments relative to a global coordinate system, thereby enhancing the clinician's understanding of the surgical site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional imaging systems are used to view the surgical site, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to recognize and convey information about concealed structures and three-dimensional dimensions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about concealed structuresVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinate system transformation mechanism that maps three-dimensional surgical site coordinates to two-dimensional display coordinates and back. This dimensional transformation enables the imaging system to convey depth and spatial relationship information that would otherwise be lost in traditional 2D imaging, allowing clinicians to understand concealed structures and 3D dimensions without fundamentally changing the imaging hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a coordinate system as an intermediary between the physical surgical site and the displayed image. By defining a transfer function that translates coordinates between the surgical site coordinate system and the display coordinate system, the system mediates the information gap, enabling accurate representation of concealed structures without requiring complex imaging hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the surgical instrument orientation is not adjusted to match the display coordinate system, then the control system remains simple, but user confusion and disorientation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol operation easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the surgical instrument's orientation and automatically adjusts it to match the display coordinate system. The transfer function provides real-time feedback about the relationship between instrument position and displayed position, enabling the system to self-correct and maintain alignment without user intervention, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the orientation parameters of the surgical instrument based on the coordinate system transformation requirements. By adjusting the instrument's rotational and positional parameters in real-time according to the transfer function, the system ensures that the physical instrument orientation always corresponds to the displayed orientation, eliminating user confusion without requiring complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If coordinate system transformation is implemented to improve surgical precision, then the accuracy of surgical site localization improves, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical site localization accuracyVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the coordinate system transformation and transfer function in advance, before the actual surgical procedure begins. By pre-defining the relationship between the surgical site coordinate system and the display coordinate system, the system prepares the mathematical framework needed for accurate localization, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations during surgery and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system provides enhanced visualization and control of surgical instruments, reducing user confusion and improving surgical precision by allowing real-time, accurate identification and avoidance of critical structures, leading to more confident and efficient surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging system and a control circuit. The imaging system comprises an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and an image sensor configured to receive the EMR reflected from a surgical site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3845189B1Dynamic surgical visualization system
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ETHICON INC
  • EP3845189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3845189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3845189B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical visualization system and controlling devices according to the displayed point of view of the surgical visualization system are disclosed. The visualization system can allow users to change, update, or manipulate the displayed visualization utilizing overlapping or multiple images. Further, the controls and/or display screens of surgical instruments coupled to the visualization system can be adjusted to correspond to the orientation of the surgical instrument as visualized by the visualization system.