Surgical visualization system

• US 10,555,728 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2017
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CamPlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CamPlex, Inc.
• Inventors: Charles, Steven T., Tesar, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric S
• Application Number:
  US15/589,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20180055502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 600201-249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/371 with simultaneous use of two cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the composite image generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

illuminating a surgical site via one or more light emitters;

receiving from at least one camera disposed on a retractor a first plurality of image data, said retractor configured to hold open an incision formed in a body thereby providing access to the surgical site;

receiving from at least one camera associated with a surgical tool a second plurality of image data;

processing the first plurality of image data to produce a first image;

processing the second plurality of image data to produce a second image, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor or the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool or both the at least one camera disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises at least one stereo camera configured to provide stereo imagery; and

directing fluid to the one or more light emitters via a hydraulic system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the first image comprises tiling separate images obtained from the at least one camera disposed on the retractor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising integrating the second image with the first image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the integrating comprises disposing the second image as a picture-in-picture over the first image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor comprises at least one stereo camera pair.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein both the at least one camera disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

8. A surgical visualization kit comprising:

at least one camera configured to be disposed on a retractor configured to hold open an incision formed in a body thereby providing access to a surgical site, said at least one camera configured to produce respective images;

an image processing module configured to display said respective images;

at least one camera associated with a surgical tool, wherein the at least one camera configured to be disposed on the retractor or the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool or both the at least one camera configured to be disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises at least one stereo camera configured to provide stereo imagery;

one or more light emitters configured to illuminate the surgical site; and

a hydraulic system configured to direct fluid to the one or more light emitters.

9. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the image processing module is configured to display said respective images for simultaneous viewing as a composite first image.

10. The surgical visualization kit of claim 9, wherein displaying said composite first image is produced by tiling the respective images produced by the at least one camera configured to be disposed on the retractor.

11. The surgical visualization kit of claim 9, wherein the image processing module is further configured to display a second image obtained from the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool.

12. The surgical visualization kit of claim 11, wherein the image processing module is configured to display the second image as a picture-in-picture over the first image.

13. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the at least one camera configured to be disposed on the retractor comprises at least one stereo camera pair.

14. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

15. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein both the at least one camera configured to be disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

16. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic system is configured to direct liquid pulses to the one or more light emitters.

17. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic system is configured to direct air pulses to the one or more light emitters.

18. The surgical visualization kit of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic system is configured to direct liquid to the one or more light emitters.

19. The surgical visualization kit of claim 18, wherein the hydraulic system is further configured to deliver pulses of pressurized air to the one or more light emitters.

20. A method comprising:

illuminating a surgical site via one or more light emitters;

inserting a retractor into an opening formed by an incision in a body thereby providing access to the surgical site, the retractor comprising at least one camera disposed thereon;

inserting a surgical tool at least partially into a working space of the retractor, the surgical tool comprising at least one camera, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor or the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool or both the at least one camera disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises at least one stereo camera configured to provide stereo imagery; and

directing fluid to the one or more light emitters via a hydraulic system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor is disposed on a blade of the retractor and substantially faces the working space.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor comprises at least 8 cameras.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one camera disposed on the retractor comprises at least one stereo camera pair.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein both the at least one camera disposed on the retractor and the at least one camera associated with the surgical tool comprises the at least one stereo camera.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein directing fluid to the one or more light emitters comprises directing liquid pulses to the one or more light emitters.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein directing fluid to the one or more light emitters comprises directing air pulses to the one or more light emitters.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein directing fluid to the one or more light emitters comprises directing liquid to the one or more light emitters.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising delivering pulses of pressurized air to the one or more light emitters.