Suture Technique Evaluation Using Optical Ligation Force Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suture technique training methods fail to objectively evaluate ligation force, making it difficult for non-experts to assess their suturing skills effectively, leading to inadequate training outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A suture technique evaluation apparatus that uses a camera to image the suturing region and a suture evaluation mechanism to objectively assess the sutural state and ligation force based on image data, including a ligation force evaluation part that calculates the force using a reference area and a pressurizing mechanism to quantify leakage, enabling accurate and comprehensive evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If suture training is performed on a simulated body, then the trainee can practice suturing techniques, but the trainee cannot objectively evaluate their ligation force and sutural state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with an automated optical measurement system. A camera captures images of the sutured simulated body, and image processing algorithms automatically calculate the sutured area and evaluate ligation force. This substitutes the mechanical/manual evaluation process with an optical-digital system, achieving objective quantification without requiring complex mechanical sensors or force measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the sutured region through camera imaging and processes this optical copy to extract evaluation data. Instead of directly measuring physical properties like tension or force, the system captures an optical representation of the sutured area and derives quantitative information from this copy, simplifying the evaluation process while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Extent of automation
If the suture evaluation mechanism uses image data analysis, then the evaluation becomes automated and objective, but the apparatus requires additional components like camera and processing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and image processing mechanism serve multiple functions: they capture the sutured area, calculate the sutured area quantitatively, evaluate ligation force, and provide visual feedback for training. By making this single subsystem multi-functional, the patent achieves high automation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one set of components performs multiple evaluation tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation system processes its own captured images to automatically generate evaluation results. The image processing mechanism extracts features directly from the captured images without requiring external measurement devices or manual intervention, making the system self-sufficient and highly automated while keeping the overall apparatus relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If the simulated body uses different colored regions, then the suture region extraction becomes easier and more accurate, but the simulated body design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated body incorporates regions with different colors or brightness levels to distinguish the suture target area from surrounding tissue. This color differentiation enables the image processing algorithm to easily segment and extract the suture region through simple color thresholding or brightness analysis, significantly improving extraction precision. The coloring is applied during manufacturing through standard materials selection or printing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (color or brightness) of different regions of the simulated body to facilitate automated identification. By encoding spatial information through optical property variations, the system enables accurate suture region extraction without complex geometric modeling or additional markers, balancing manufacturing simplicity with processing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture technique evaluation apparatus evaluates a suture technique performed on a simulated body simulating a part of the human body, and the suture technique evaluation apparatus includes a camera configured to image at least a suture region where suturing is performed on the simulated body, and a ligation force evaluation part adapted to evaluate the ligation force of the suturing on the basis of image data taken by the camera.