XR Headset Camera System for Surgical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-assisted navigation systems in surgery face challenges with usability and ergonomics, requiring surgeons to turn away from the patient to view navigation information, relying on others to operate software, and experiencing interruptions due to obstruction of tracking components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an extended reality (XR) headset system that provides an interactive environment for surgeons to view patient images, navigation information, and control surgical equipment directly, using a head-mounted display with visible light and near-infrared cameras, and NIR LEDs for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the surgeon uses existing navigation systems to view navigation information, then the surgeon can access patient images and navigation data, but the surgeon must turn his/her head away from the patient and surgical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions navigation information display from a two-dimensional external monitor to a three-dimensional virtual reality environment that the surgeon can view while maintaining head position, eliminating the need to turn away from the patient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera system and processing equipment as intermediaries to capture the surgical field and generate virtual reality images, allowing the surgeon to view navigation information without directly observing the physical surgical site
2Loss of information
If the surgeon uses existing navigation systems, then navigation information is provided, but reliance on other personnel to operate software functions is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the surgeon to independently control and operate all navigation software functions directly from the virtual reality interface, eliminating dependence on other personnel to operate equipment software
3Reliability
If traditional tracking components are used in surgery, then navigation tracking is provided, but intermittent pauses occur when personnel or objects obstruct the tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple camera systems (visible light cameras and infrared cameras) that can function interchangeably or simultaneously, allowing the system to maintain tracking capability even when one camera's view is obstructed by personnel or objects
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
Enhances surgical navigation by allowing surgeons to maintain focus on the patient, reducing reliance on others for equipment operation, and ensuring continuous navigation assistance even with obstructions, thereby improving surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate a region within a field of view of the right-side NIR camera and the left-side NIR camera
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted extended reality (XR) display device includes a rigid mounting element coupled to a frame. The XR display device further includes right-side and left-side visible light cameras coupled to the rigid mounting element, right-side and left-side near-infrared (NIR) cameras coupled to the rigid mounting element, and an NIR light-emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate a region within a field of view of the NIR cameras. The visible light cameras are configured to capture stereoscopic visible light images within a field of view of the user when the user is wearing the frame, and the NIR cameras are configured to capture stereoscopic NIR images within the field of view of the user when the user is wearing the frame.