Thermal Overlay Display for Hot Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical instruments lack real-time temperature monitoring, leading to potential tissue damage due to excessive heating of surgical instruments, and there is a need for improved methods and systems to display the status of surgical instruments during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system that combines visible-light and infrared imaging to generate a modified image of surgical instruments, highlighting regions above a predetermined temperature threshold, such as 50°C, using a processor to superimpose temperature indicia like color changes or symbols on the visible image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional minimally invasive surgical instruments are used, then reduced post-operative recovery time and minimal scarring are achieved, but real-time temperature monitoring is not available leading to potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system that captures thermal radiation from surgical instruments and converts it into visual information displayed on a monitor. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the surgical instrument and the surgeon, providing real-time temperature feedback without interfering with the surgical procedure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact temperature sensing with non-contact thermal radiation detection. Instead of requiring physical sensors in contact with the instrument, the system uses infrared/thermal imaging to detect temperature remotely, enabling real-time monitoring without adding mechanical complexity to the surgical instrument.
2Ease of operation
If minimally invasive surgical instruments are used, then minimal scarring is achieved, but coordination of end effector movement with visual display is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a thermal dimension to the traditional visual display, creating a multi-dimensional information presentation. By superimposing thermal images on the visual field, the system provides temperature information in the same spatial plane as the surgical view, improving situational awareness without adding separate display interfaces that would complicate the surgical workflow.
3Reliability
If real-time temperature monitoring is implemented, then tissue damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by enabling it to display both visual and thermal information simultaneously. This single system serves multiple purposes: providing anatomical context through visual imaging and temperature monitoring through thermal imaging, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated temperature monitoring devices.
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
Enables real-time monitoring of surgical instrument temperatures, allowing surgeons to avoid tissue damage by visually indicating hot regions, enhancing safety and precision in minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first detector that includes a first array of pixels configured to detect visible light reflected by a surgical instrument
Implementation Method 2
a second detector, comprising a second array of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation produced by the surgical instrument
Implementation Method 3
The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first and second signals, identify from the first dataset data representative of the surgical instrument, and identify from the second dataset data representative of one or more regions of the surgical instrument above a predetermined threshold temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a first detector that includes a first array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical instrument and generate a first signal comprising a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a second detector, comprising a second array of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation produced by the surgical instrument during a procedure using the surgical instrument and generate a second signal comprising a second dataset representative of an infrared image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system further includes a processor configured to receive the first and second signals, identify from the first dataset data representative of the surgical instrument, and identify from the second dataset data representative of one or more regions of the surgical instrument above a predetermined threshold temperature. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical instrument based on data identified from the first and second dataset. The modified image includes visible indicia in the one or more region of the surgical instrument at or above the predetermined temperature.