Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nerve-detecting surgical system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an intraoperative nerve-detecting surgical system to prevent iatrogenic nerve injuries.
BACKGROUND
Every year 450 million surgeries take place worldwide out of which 75 million patients suffer from mild to moderate iatrogenic nerve injuries. Any surgical intervention has to deal with complex anatomy including blood vessels, and sensory and motor nerves. The difficulty level is further compounded by various anatomic variations, diseases, or any history of previous surgery. Commonly available devices and patents have EMG-related nerve detection. Current products in the market like Checkpoint Nerve Stimulators, Medtronic Stimulators, Cadwell Stimulators, Nerusoft, and Braun Stimulators can provide only an approximate location of the nerve as they depend on the twitching of muscles. This is a major limitation of the existing technologies.

OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a nerve-detecting surgical system.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a surgical system for intraoperative detection of nerves.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a surgical system for the intraoperative detection of nerves to prevent iatrogenic nerve injuries.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to use augmented reality(AR) to produce images and videos of nerves.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a method of detecting nerves and assisting surgery.
The objectives, advantages, and features of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description provided herein below, in which various
embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of example.

SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a nerve-detecting surgical system. The present invention includes a nerve-detection device, a LED light source with collimator and Linear Polarizer, a surgeon device, a user device, and a cloud server. The nerve-detection device includes a single-board computer, a battery, a voltage regulator, a latching metal switch, a camera module, a screen display, a linear polarizing filter, a motor, and an inertial measuring unit. The battery is used to power the single-board computer. The voltage regulator is used for supplying constant voltage. The latching metal switch is for wiring the connection between the battery and the single-board computer and is used to switch ON and OFF the nerve-detection device. The camera module is connected to the single-board computer and is used to capture actual images and videos of the nerve. The screen display is connected to the single-board computer and is used to display the interface of the app overlaid on the live camera feed of the camera module. The linear polarizing filter is placed in front of the camera module and is used to let in light that is polarized at a specific angle. The motor is used to rotate the linear polarizing filter. The inertial measuring unit is used to record the orientation and movement action of the nerve-detecting device. The LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer is used to illuminate the area of interest of the body for the detection of nerves. The surgeon device is used to superimpose generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the nerve-detecting device. The user device is used to access the actual image and video of the nerve by the user. The cloud server is connected to the nerve-detection device and used to share the actual image and video nerve data from the nerve-detecting device on the user device. In the preferred embodiment, all the components of the nerve-detection device are present inside a casing. The casing includes a top surface of the casing, a front side of the casing, a backside of the casing, and sides of the casing. The latching metal switch is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing and an indicator LED light is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing. The Camera Module and polarizing filter are present on the front side of the casing in the center. The screen display is present on the backside of the casing. A USB port and an HDMI port are present on the sides of the casing.
The advantage of the present invention is that the present invention provides a nerve-detecting surgical system.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention provides a surgical system for the intraoperative detection of nerves.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention provides a surgical system for the intraoperative detection of nerves to prevent iatrogenic nerve injuries.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention uses augmented reality(AR) to produce images and videos of nerves.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention develops a method of detecting nerves and assisting surgery.
The objectives, advantages, and features of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description provided herein below, in which various
embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification to provide a better understanding of the invention. The drawings
illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve
to explain the principles of the invention.
Fig 1 illustrates casing of the nerve-detecting device.
Fig 2 illustrates the location of parts inside the casing of the nerve-detecting device.
Fig 3 illustrates the process of illumination of the the area of interest of the nerve by the polarizer of the nerve-detecting device.
Fig 4 illustrates a backside view of the nerve-detecting device.
Fig 5 illustrates the connections between the different components of the nerve-detecting surgical system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definition
The terms “a” or “an” as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality” as used herein, is defined as two as or more than two. The term “another” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended. The term “comprising” is used interchangeably used by the terms “having” or “containing”.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, and “yet another embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics are combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
As used herein, the term "one or more" generally refers to, but not limited to, singular as well as the plural form of the term.
The drawings featured in the figures are to illustrate certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as a limitation to that. Term "means" preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there are one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term "means" is not intended to be limiting.
Fig 1. illustrates the perspective view of a nerve-detecting device(126). All the components of the nerve-detection device(126) are present inside a casing(124). The casing(124) includes a top surface of casing (128), a front side of casing(140), a backside of casing(142), and sides of casing(144). The latching metal switch(108) is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing(128) and an indicator LED light(138) is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing(128). The Camera Module(112) and polarizing filter(116) are present on the front side of the casing(140) in the center.
Fig 2. illustrates the location components of the nerve-detecting device(126). The nerve-detection device(126) includes a single-board computer(102), a battery(104), a voltage regulator(106), a latching metal switch(108), a camera module(112), a linear polarizing filter(116), a motor(118) a USB port(120) and an HDMI port(122) inside the casing of the nerve-detection device(126). The battery(104) is used to power the single-board computer(102). The voltage regulator(106) is used for supplying constant voltage. The latching metal switch(108) is for wiring the connection between the battery(104) and the single-board computer(102) and is used to switch ON and OFF the nerve-detection device(126). The camera module(112) is connected to the single-board computer(102).
Fig 3. illustrates the process of illumination of the area of interest of the nerve in the body by a nerve-detecting device(126). A LED light source with collimator and Linear Polarizer(110) sends linear polarized light that illuminates the area of interest of the nerve in the body. The nerve-detection device(126) received linear polarized light through a linear polarizing filter(116).
Fig 4 illustrates a backside view of nerve-detecting device(126). All the components of a nerve-detection device(126) are present inside a casing(124). The casing(124) includes a top surface of casing (128), a backside of casing(142), and sides of casing(144). A latching metal switch(108) is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing(128) and an indicator LED light(138) is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing(128). The screen display(114) is on the backside of the casing(142).
Fig 5 illustrates the connections between the different components of the nerve-detecting surgical system(100). The nerve-detection device(126) sends the actual image and video data to the surgeon device(132) that again sends the superimposed final image and video of the actual image and video and the animated generated image and video back to the nerve-detection device(126). The nerve-detection device(126) is connected to the cloud server(136) which then enables the user to view the data by the user device(134).
The present invention relates to a nerve-detecting surgical system. The present invention includes a nerve-detection device, a LED light source with collimator and Linear Polarizer, a surgeon device, a user device, and a cloud server. The nerve-detection device includes single-board computer, a battery, a voltage regulator, a latching metal switch, a camera module, a screen display, a linear polarizing filter, a motor, and an inertial measuring unit. In an embodiment, the single-board computer is Raspberry Pi. The battery is used to power the single-board computer. The voltage regulator is used for supplying constant voltage. The latching metal switch is for wiring the connection between the battery and the single-board computer and is used to switch ON and OFF the nerve-detection device. The camera module is connected to the single-board computer and is used to capture actual images and videos of the nerve. The screen display is connected to the single-board computer and is used to display the interface of the app overlaid on the live camera feed of the camera module. The linear polarizing filter is placed in front of the camera module and is used to let in light that is polarized at a specific angle. The motor is used to rotate the linear polarizing filter. The inertial measuring unit is used to record the orientation and movement action of the nerve-detecting device. The LED light source with collimator and a linear polarizer is used to illuminate the area of interest of the body for the detection of nerves. The surgeon device is used to superimpose generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the nerve-detecting device. In an embodiment, the surgeon device includes but is not limited to, a smartphone, a computer and a laptop, and an augmented reality (AR) device. In the preferred embodiment, the surgeon device is an augmented reality (AR) headset device. The user device is used to access the actual image and video of the nerve by the user. The cloud server is connected to the nerve-detection device and used to share the actual image and video nerve data from the nerve-detecting device on the user device. In the preferred embodiment, all the components of the nerve-detection device are present inside a casing. The casing includes a top surface of casing, a front side of casing, a backside of casing, and sides of casing. The latching metal switch is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing and an indicator LED light is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing. The Camera Module and polarizing filter are present on the front side of the casing in the center. The screen display is present on the backside of the casing. A USB port and an HDMI port are present on the sides of the casing. In an embodiment, the camera module has a modified CMOS sensor with an IR cut filter removed thus enabling camera module to capture images in the infrared spectrum also. In an embodiment, the surgeon device is connected to Robotic Systems with the help of the Internet of things (IOT network devices).
In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a nerve-detecting surgical system. The present invention includes one or more nerve-detection devices, a LED light source with collimator and Linear Polarizer, one or more surgeon devices, one or more user devices, and one or more cloud servers. The one or more nerve-detection devices include a single-board computer, a battery, a voltage regulator, a latching metal switch, a camera module, a screen display, a linear polarizing filter, a motor, and an inertial measuring unit. In an embodiment, the single-board computer is Raspberry Pi. The battery is used to power the single-board computer. The voltage regulator is used for supplying constant voltage. The latching metal switch is for wiring the connection between the battery and the single-board computer and is used to switch ON and OFF the one or more nerve-detection devices. The camera module is connected to the single-board computer and is used to capture actual images and videos of the nerve. The screen display is connected to the single-board computer and is used to display the interface of the app overlaid on the live camera feed of the camera module. The linear polarizing filter is placed in front the camera module and is used to let in light that is polarized at a specific angle. The motor is used to rotate the linear polarizing filter. The inertial measuring unit is used to record the orientation and movement action of the one or more nerve-detecting devices. The LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer is used to illuminate the area of interest of the body for the detection of nerves. The one or more surgeon device is used to superimpose generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the one or more nerve-detecting device. In an embodiment, the one or more surgeon device includes but are not limited to, a smartphone, a computer and a laptop, and an augmented reality (AR) device. In the preferred embodiment, the one or more surgeon devices is an augmented reality (AR) headset device. The one or more user device is used to access the actual image and video of nerve by the user. The one or more cloud server is connected to the one or more nerve-detection devices and used to share the actual image and video nerve data from the one or more nerve-detecting device on the one or more user devices. In the preferred embodiment, all the components of one or more nerve-detection devices are present inside a casing. The casing includes a top surface of casing, a front side of casing, a backside of casing, and sides of casing. The latching metal switch is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing and an indicator LED light is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing. The Camera Module and polarizing filter are present on the front side of the casing in the center. The screen display is present on the backside of the casing. A USB port and an HDMI port are present on the sides of the casing. In an embodiment, the camera module has a modified CMOS sensor with IR cut filter removed thus enabling the camera module to capture images in the infrared spectrum also. In an embodiment, the one or more surgeon device is connected to Robotic Systems with the help of Internet of things (IOT network devices).
In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting nerves and assisting surgery, the method includes:
a method of detecting nerve with the help of the nerve-detection device, the method having
the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer illuminates the area of interest of body,
the light from the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer gets reflected and the camera module captures the actual image and video of the nerve,
the captured image and video are transferred to the single-board computer and are processed to control its brightness, contrast, and saturation by computer-readable instructions running on the single-board computer;
a method for augmented reality-based assistance to surgeon, the method having
the nerve-detection device sends the actual image and video data generated of the nerve to the surgeon device,
the surgeon device superimposes the animated generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the nerve-detecting device,
this interactive experience of a real-world intraoperative setting with computer-generated perceptual information would help the surgeon to visualize the nerves in the area being operated even if they are obfuscated,
the superimposed image and video are transferred to the nerve-detection device;
a method of image and video sharing, the method having
the cloud server is connected to the nerve-detection device,
the nerve-detection device transfers the final superimposed image and video data to the cloud server,
the cloud server is connected to the user device,
the cloud server then transfers the final superimposed images and videos of nerve to the user's device to allow users to access the final superimposed images and videos.
In an embodiment, the final superimposed image and video data are further labeled and used to train the machine learning model for image processing in nerve-detecting surgical systems.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of detecting nerves and assisting surgery, the method includes:
a method of detecting nerve with the help of the one or more nerve-detection device, the method having
the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer illuminates the area of interest of the body,
the light from the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer gets reflected and camera module captures the actual image and video of the nerve,
the captured image and video are transferred to the single-board computer and are processed to control its brightness, contrast, and saturation by computer-readable instructions running on the single-board computer;
a method for augmented reality-based assistance to surgeons, the method having
the one or more nerve-detection devices send the actual image and video data generated of the nerve to the one or more surgeon devices ,
the one or more surgeon devices superimpose the animated generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the one or more nerve-detecting devices,
this interactive experience of a real-world intraoperative setting with computer-generated perceptual information would help the surgeon to visualize the nerves in the area being operated even if they are obfuscated,
the superimposed image and video is transferred to the one or more nerve-detection device;
a method of image and video sharing, the method having
the one or more cloud serves are connected to the one or more nerve-detection devices,
the one or more nerve-detection devices transfer the final superimposed image and video data to the one or more cloud servers,
the one or more cloud servers are connected to the one or more user devices,
the one or more cloud servers then transfer the final superimposed images and videos of nerve to the one or more user device to allow users to access the final superimposed images and videos.
In an embodiment, the final superimposed image and video data are further labeled and used to train the machine learning model for image processing in nerve-detecting surgical system.
Further objectives, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided herein below, in which various embodiments of the disclosed present invention are illustrated by way of example and appropriate reference to accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiment employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiment are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.
, Claims:I/WE CLAIM
1. A nerve-detecting surgical system(100), the nerve-detecting surgical system(100) comprises :
an at least one nerve-detection device(126), the at least one nerve-detection device(126) having
a single-board computer(102), the single-board computer (102) having
a battery(104), the battery(104) powers the single-board computer(102),
a voltage regulator(106), the voltage regulator(106) is for supplying constant voltage,
a latching metal switch(108), the latching metal switch(108) is for wiring the connection between the battery(104) and the single-board computer(102), and is used to switch ON and OFF the at least one nerve-detection device(126),
a camera module(112), the camera module(112) is connected to the single-board computer(102) and is used to capture actual images and videos of nerve,
a screen display(114), the screen display(114) is connected to the single-board computer(102) and is used to display the interface of the app overlaid on the live camera feed of the camera(112),
a linear polarizing filter(116), the linear polarizing filter(116) is placed in front the camera(112) and is used to let in light that in polarized at a specific angle,
a motor(118), the motor(118) is used to rotate the linear polarizing filter(116),
an indicator LED light(138), and
an inertial measuring unit(130), the inertial measuring unit(130) is used to record the orientation and movement action of the at least one nerve-detecting device(126);
a LED light source with collimator Linear Polarizer(110), the LED light source with collimator and Linear Polarizer(110) is used to illuminate the area of interest of the body for the detection of nerves;
an at least one surgeon device(132), the at least one surgeon device(132) is used to superimpose generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the at least one nerve-detecting device(126);
an at least one user device(134), the at least one user device(134) is used to access the actual image and video of nerve by the user;
an at one cloud server(136), the at least one cloud server(136) is connected to the at least one nerve-detection device(126) and used to share the actual image and video nerve data from the at least one nerve-detecting device(126) on the at least one user device(134);
Wherein, the raw image and video data coming from the camera module(112) is processed to control the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the actual image and video of the nerve by computer-readable instructions running on the single-board computer(102).
2. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the components are present inside a casing(124), the casing(124) comprises:
a top surface of casing(128), the latching metal switch(108) is present on the right side of the top surface of the casing(128) and the indicator LED light(138) is present on the left side of the top surface of the casing(128);
a front side of casing(140), the Camera Module(112) and polarizing filter(116) are present on the front side of the casing(140) in the centre;
a backside of casing(142), the screen display(114) is present on the backside of the casing(142); and
sides of casing(144), a USB port(120) and a HDMI port(122) are present on the sides of the casing(144).
3. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single-board computer(102) is Raspberry Pi.
4. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera module(112) has a modified CMOS sensor with IR cut filter removed thus enabling the camera module(112) to capture images in the infrared spectrum also.
5. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one surgeon device(132) is selected from a smartphone, a computer and a laptop, and an augmented reality (AR) device.
6. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one surgeon device(132) is connected to Robotic Systems with the help of Internet of Things (IOT network devices)
7. The nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a method of detecting nerve and assisting surgery, the method includes:

a method of detecting nerve with the help of the at least one nerve-detection device(126), the method having
the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer(110) illuminates the area of interest of body,
the light from the LED light source with collimator and linear polarizer(110) gets reflected and camera module(112) captures the actual image and video of the nerve,
the captured image and video are transferred to the single-board computer(102) and are processed to control its brightness, contrast, and saturation by computer-readable instructions running on the single-board computer(102);
a method for augmented reality-based assistance to surgeons, the method having
the at least one nerve-detection device(126) sends the actual image and video data generated of the nerve to the at least one surgeon device(132),
the at least one surgeon device(132) superimposes the animated generated image and video map of nerves on the actual image and video map of nerves that are detected by the at least one nerve-detecting device(126),
this interactive experience of a real-world intraoperative setting with computer-generated perceptual information would help the surgeon to visualize the nerves in the area being operated even if they are obfuscated,
the superimposed image and video are transferred to the at least one nerve-detection device(126);
a method of image and video sharing, the method having
the at least one cloud server(136) is connected to the at least one nerve-detection device(126),
the at least one nerve-detection device(126) transfers the final superimposed image and video data to the at least one cloud server(136),
the at least one cloud server(136) is connected to the at least one user device(134),
the at least one cloud server(136) then transfers the final superimposed images and videos of nerve to the at least one user device(134) to allow users to access the final superimposed images and videos.
8. A nerve-detecting surgical system(100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the final superimposed image and video data are further labeled and used to train the machine learning model for image processing in nerve-detecting surgical systems (100)