Surgical Vessel Detection via Pulsatile Light Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and characterizing blood vessels during surgical procedures, especially in minimally-invasive surgeries, lack accuracy and speed, often leading to vascular damage and increased costs due to reliance on tactile sensation and the use of contrast agents, which can cause adverse reactions and generate medical waste.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a light emitter and sensor at the instrument's working end generates signals with pulsatile and non-pulsatile components, using a controller to quantify vessel diameter based on the ratio of these components, allowing for real-time detection without contrast agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tactile sensation is used to identify blood vessels during surgical procedures, then the surgeon can detect vessel presence through touch, but this method becomes ineffective in minimally-invasive procedures where tactile feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tactile sensing system with an optical detection system. Light emitters and sensors detect changes in light absorption properties of tissue to identify blood vessels, eliminating dependence on tactile feedback while maintaining vessel detection capability in minimally-invasive procedures
2Measurement precision
If contrast agents are used to identify vasculature, then vessel detection accuracy is improved, but the procedure complexity increases and adverse reactions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the inherent optical properties of blood and tissue to generate detection signals without requiring external contrast agents. The blood vessels naturally absorb and scatter light differently than surrounding tissue, allowing the system to self-detect vessel locations and characteristics without additional substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects vessel presence and characteristics by measuring changes in light absorption properties, which correspond to the optical characteristics (color/absorption spectrum) of blood versus surrounding tissue. This natural optical contrast eliminates the need for contrast agents while maintaining detection accuracy
3Measurement precision
If detailed vessel analysis is performed to characterize vasculature, then surgical precision is improved, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and pre-processes optical signal data throughout the surgical procedure, building a database of vessel characteristics in advance. This preliminary data collection and analysis enables rapid retrieval and application of vessel information when needed, maintaining both precision and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system operates continuously during the procedure, constantly monitoring for vessel presence and updating vessel characteristics in real-time. This continuous data collection eliminates the need for separate analysis phases, maintaining both detailed characterization and procedural flow without interruption
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 method provides accurate and rapid identification of vessel diameter, reducing the risk of vascular injury and associated costs by eliminating the need for contrast agents and enhancing surgical precision in minimally-invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
System and method for determining vessel size using light absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system used to determine a size of a vessel within a region proximate to a working end of a surgical instrument includes at least one light emitter disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument, and at least one light sensor disposed at the working end of the surgical instrument opposite the at least one light emitter, the at least one light sensor adapted to generate a signal comprising a first pulsatile component and a second non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the at least one light sensor, the controller comprising a splitter to separate the first pulsatile component from the second non-pulsatile component and an analyzer to quantify the size of the vessel within the region proximate to the working end of the surgical instrument based on the first pulsatile component.