This technology is a control system that automatically retracts an endoscope from the surgical site upon the surgeon's approval, based on real-time quality assessment of endoscopic images. It generates a retraction path and performs real-time collision avoidance by utilizing 3D surgical site images acquired preoperatively and positional data of key biological structures.
When endoscopic image quality degrades during surgery due to debris or other factors, the process has traditionally relied on manual operation by a skilled nurse. This approach carries the risk of physical collision between the endoscope and critical biological structures, such as organs, blood vessels, and nerves, within the surgical site.
This technology proposes a method where an image quality assessment unit monitors quantified image quality and triggers a signal upon degradation to obtain surgeon approval. It then activates a 3D model-based collision risk assessment module and a path generation module. This allows for the automatic retraction of the endoscope along a safe path, ensuring surgical continuity and safety. It minimizes surgical delays caused by image quality degradation in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and fundamentally prevents collisions with biological tissues, dramatically enhancing surgical safety.
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