Real-Time Surgical Instrument Status on Live Video During Operations
This patent describes a surgical system that shows live video from inside the body and overlays important information about the surgical tool directly onto the screen, helping surgeons operate more precisely.
Original patent title: “Torque optimization for surgical instruments”
What this patent covers
The actual claim
The patent details a surgical system that combines live video with instrument feedback. It uses a surgical visualization system to capture live images during an operation, like what a camera inside the body sees. A feedback controller then displays these live images on a screen in a first layer. Crucially, it also displays the status of the surgical instrument, such as a stapler or a robotic arm, in a second layer. This status information is positioned on the screen in relation to a specific part of the instrument or the tissue being operated on, as described in the abstract. For example, a surgeon using a stapler might see a real-time indicator of staple compression directly next to the stapler's image on the live video feed.
What this patent does NOT cover
The boundaries
- Does not cover surgical systems that only display live video without overlaying instrument status information.
- Does not cover systems where instrument status is displayed separately from the live video feed, rather than in a layered, related manner.
- Does not cover systems where the instrument status is not positioned in relation to a feature of the instrument or tissue in the live image.
- Does not cover instruments that provide only auditory or haptic feedback without a visual display of status.
- Does not cover general surgical instruments that do not include a feedback controller or visualization system.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The clever part is how the system integrates the instrument's status directly into the live surgical view. By placing this status information in a second layer and relating it to the instrument or tissue in the first layer, it provides context-aware feedback without forcing the surgeon to look away or interpret separate data streams.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Robotic surgical systems like da Vinci Surgical System
Advanced endoscopic staplers with integrated feedback
Minimally invasive surgery platforms
Surgical navigation systems with augmented reality overlays
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is important because it provides surgeons with immediate, visual feedback on their instruments directly within their field of view. This real-time information can significantly improve precision and safety during complex procedures, especially when using tools like surgical staplers or robotic instruments. The high number of forward citations suggests its foundational importance in the development of advanced surgical visualization and feedback systems.
Filed
November 10, 2017
Granted
March 5, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
CILAG GMBH INT, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson, is a major player in medical devices and continues to innovate in surgical technology. Other large medical device companies like Medtronic, Stryker, and Intuitive Surgical are also actively developing and integrating advanced visualization and feedback systems into their surgical instruments and robotic platforms. Startups focused on augmented reality in surgery are also exploring similar concepts.
Market impact
This patent contributes to a market trend towards more intelligent and integrated surgical systems. By enhancing real-time feedback, it enables the development of safer and more effective surgical instruments, potentially reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. It helps drive the adoption of minimally invasive and robotic surgery by making these procedures more intuitive and precise for surgeons.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a surgical system that combines live video with instrument feedback. It uses a surgical visualization system to capture live images during an operation, like what a camera inside the body sees. A feedback controller then displays these live images on a screen in a first layer. Crucially, it also displays the status of the surgical instrument, such as a stapler or a robotic arm, in a second layer. This status information is positioned on the screen in relation to a specific part of the instrument or the tissue being operated on, as described in the abstract. For example, a surgeon using a stapler might see a real-time indicator of staple compression directly next to the stapler's image on the live video feed.
The clever bit
The clever part is how the system integrates the instrument's status directly into the live surgical view. By placing this status information in a second layer and relating it to the instrument or tissue in the first layer, it provides context-aware feedback without forcing the surgeon to look away or interpret separate data streams.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical systems that only display live video without overlaying instrument status information.
- Does not cover systems where instrument status is displayed separately from the live video feed, rather than in a layered, related manner.
- Does not cover systems where the instrument status is not positioned in relation to a feature of the instrument or tissue in the live image.
- Does not cover instruments that provide only auditory or haptic feedback without a visual display of status.
- Does not cover general surgical instruments that do not include a feedback controller or visualization system.
Patent Journey
From filing to today
Patent Filed
2017
Patent Granted
2024 · 6yr after filing
Highly Cited
9,631 patents cite this
Active Today
2026
Expires
2037
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claims
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assignee
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Citations
Patent lineage
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