Trocar Port Positioning via 3D Projection Vectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of trocar ports in minimally invasive surgical procedures are time-consuming and may not identify the optimal position, as they require repeated simulations and do not consider alternative candidate points.
Innovation Solution
A trocar port position determination apparatus and method that uses volume data to set a target point, establish line of sight vectors, and generate projected images to visually display potential trocar port positions, allowing physicians to comprehensively evaluate candidate positions and identify the optimal location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If repeated simulations are performed to determine trocar port position, then the accuracy of position determination is improved, but the time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulations automatically to generate candidate trocar port positions before the actual surgical procedure. By pre-calculating multiple candidate positions and evaluating them in advance, the system eliminates the need for repeated time-consuming simulations during the actual surgery, thus resolving the contradiction between determination accuracy and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of the patient's anatomical structures using medical imaging data to build a three-dimensional model. This virtual model allows for repeated simulations and evaluations without requiring physical experiments or repeated actual surgical attempts, enabling accurate position determination while saving time.
2Ease of operation
If only specified positions are evaluated, then the determination process is simplified, but the optimal position may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the evaluation process into two stages: first, automatic generation of multiple candidate positions based on anatomical landmarks and surgical requirements; second, evaluation and selection of the optimal position from these candidates. This segmentation allows comprehensive evaluation of multiple positions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating candidate trocar port positions and evaluating them based on predefined criteria such as visibility of target organs, accessibility for surgical instruments, and avoidance of vital structures. This automated self-evaluation eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error specification of positions while ensuring comprehensive optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A point within a three dimensional region represented by volume data is set as a target point. A three dimensional angular range having the target point as its apex is set, and a plurality of line of sight vectors directed toward the target point are set within the three dimensional angular range. A plurality of projected images are generated by projecting the three dimensional region onto projection planes perpendicular to the line of sight vectors for each of the line of sight vectors. The generated projected images are arranged and displayed on a screen.