Tracked Surgical Instrument Imaging for Minimally Invasive Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgeries face challenges in visualizing the surgical field and accurately tracking instrument positioning, limiting precision and situational awareness during real-time decision-making.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a digital camera and optional electromagnetic or optical motion tracking sensors into a single surgical instrument, which can be integrated or attached to existing tools, providing high-resolution visual data and real-time positional information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional imaging and tracking systems are used separately, then each system can function independently, but the integration and real-time correlation between imaging data and positional data are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a digital camera and motion tracking sensor into a single integrated surgical instrument. The camera captures visual data of the surgical field while the motion tracking sensor simultaneously tracks the instrument's position and orientation. Both data streams are processed together to provide real-time, correlated information that enhances situational awareness and reliability during minimally invasive surgery.
2Loss of information
If a digital camera is integrated into the surgical instrument, then real-time visual data of the surgical field is obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital camera and motion tracking sensor are nested within the housing of the surgical instrument. The camera is positioned at the distal end of the instrument body, allowing it to capture visual data from the surgical field while being protected within the instrument's structure. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while maximizing information capture.
3Measurement precision
If motion tracking sensors are added to the surgical instrument, then real-time positional data is obtained, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is designed with a modular housing that can accommodate both the digital camera and motion tracking sensor. This universal design allows the same instrument platform to be used across multiple surgical applications, reducing manufacturing complexity. The housing serves multiple functions: protecting the sensors, positioning the camera, and providing mounting structures for both imaging and tracking components.
4Area of stationary object
If the camera field of view covers the distal end of the instrument, then complete visual coverage is achieved, but the distal end may occupy excessive space in the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned at the distal end of the instrument body, creating a localized field of view that focuses on the surgical site. This positioning ensures that the camera captures visual data from the immediate surgical field while the instrument's distal end occupies minimal space in the frame. The local quality of the field of view is optimized to provide complete coverage of the surgical site without excessive instrument obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprises a body; a vision module combined with the body, the vision module having a camera with a field of view covering a distal end of the surgical instrument, wherein the distal end of the surgical instrument occupies no more than 50% of the area of the field of view; and a lighting directed towards the field of view.