FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a surgical head camera arrangement. In particular, the invention relates to a surgical head camera arrangement including front and rear facing cameras to obtain a 360-degree range of video and audio data of a surgical theatre.

BACKGROUND

The video recording of surgical procedures is important for several reasons, including for teaching and training purposes. In addition, the ability to accurately record a surgery is important as it helps surgeons to review performance and quality as part of continuing professional development. It is also important to have an accurate record if litigation were to arise and for ensuring that standards and appropriate practices are being maintained during surgery.

Various devices exist for the purpose of recording surgical procedures and can include camera and light arrangements in the form of a headband that can be worn by the surgeon. Other modes include video cameras mounted to the ceiling or other areas in the surgical theatre to record surrounding events.

However, there are a number of issues with the currently available technology including, poor quality of the video recording, lack of stability of the image, inability to record all relevant events, difficulty in maintaining sterility, and high costs of equipment. As a result, the currently available technology fails to fulfill all the desired requirements that are important from a teaching perspective, and also from the perspective of reviewing a surgical procedure after the fact to ensure that the appropriate standards and conduct were maintained. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the invention, although this should not be seen as limiting in any way, there is a surgical head camera arrangement including a head band adapted to be worn by a user, at least one front facing camera lens located at a front side of the head band, a rear facing camera lens located at a rear side of the head band, wherein the front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens are operably connected to an electronic controller, which allows for recorded video and/or audio data from the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens to be transmitted to the electronic controller.

In preference, the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens are operably connected to the electronic controller by way of a wired or wireless connection.

In preference, the electronic controller processes the recorded video and/or audio data to create recorded video and/or audio footage.

In preference, the electronic controller includes a wireless transmitter for wireless signal transmission of the recorded video and/or audio footage to an electronic device. In preference, the wireless transmitter operates via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and/or mobile communication.

In preference, the electronic device is a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet and/or television.

In preference, the electronic controller includes a screen for monitoring the recorded video and/or audio data from the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens.

In preference, the electronic controller is adapted to analyse and track objects of interest with the at least one front facing camera lens and/or the rear facing camera lens.

In preference, the electronic controller includes a memory card socket, which allows for storage of the recorded video and/or audio footage on a memory card.

In preference, the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens are positioned in order to capture a substantially 360° range of video and/or audio footage of a surgical theatre.

In preference, the surgical head camera arrangement further includes a second front facing camera lens at a front side of the head band and operably connected to the electronic controller such that recorded video and/or audio data from the second front facing camera lens is transmitted to the electronic controller and is processed by the electronic controller to create recorded video and/or audio footage.

In preference, the second front facing camera lens is mounted to a gimbal. In preference, the surgical head camera arrangement further includes a computer processing unit, which controls the gimbal in order to stabilise footage recorded by the second front facing camera lens despite movements of a user’s head.

In preference, the gimbal is adapted to track one or more objects of interest with the second front facing camera lens.

In preference, the surgical head camera arrangement further includes a front facing torch.

In preference, the head band includes a circumferential strap extending around a head of the user.

In preference, the head band includes a top strap that extends over the head of the user, wherein the top strap is connected at a first end and a second end to the circumferential strap.

In preference, at least one of the side strap and the top strap is adjustable.

In preference, at least one of the circumferential strap and the top strap are adjustable by way of one or more adjustment knobs.

In preference, at least one of the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear face camera lens can be detached from and reattached to the head band.

Objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description directed towards an embodiment of the invention. As will be realised, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. FIGURES

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a front view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to the embodiment depicted in Figures 4 to 6, but wherein several of the components are located in alternative positions.

Figure 8 is a side view of the surgical head camera arrangement according to the embodiment depicted in Figures 4 to 6, but wherein several of the components are located in alternative positions. DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed but, rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The surgical head camera arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown generally as (10).

In particular, Figures 1 to 3 depict an embodiment of the surgical camera arrangement (10), which includes a head band (20) adapted to be worn on the head of a user. In particular, the head band includes a circumferential strap (21), which can extend around the circumference of a user’s head. The head band (20) can also include a top strap (22), which is connected at a first end (23a) and a second end (23b) to the circumferential strap (21). The circumferential strap (21) and the top strap (22) can be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, carbon fibre, polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among others. Any suitable method of forming the straps (21, 22) can also be used, for example 3D printing. The connection of the top strap (22) to the circumferential strap (21) can be achieved by way of an adhesive, welding, or any other suitable attachment means.

In addition, at least one of the circumferential strap (21) and the top strap (22) are adjustable so as to fit different sizes of user heads. As shown in Figure 1, the circumferential strap overlaps itself around the front portion. In the embodiment depicted, the circumferential strap (21) has two adjustment knobs (24) positioned thereon, and the top strap has one adjustment knob (25), which allows a user to manually tighten or loosen the respective straps (21, 22). Any other means of adjustment of the size of the head band (20) to suit a user’s preferences that would also be known by those skilled in the art could also be used. Further, the head band (20) has a front side (26a) and a rear side (26b), which are positioned at the respective front and rear sides of a user’s head when in use.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the surgical head camera arrangement 10 includes a front facing camera lens (30), which is located at the front side (26a) of the head band (20), and a rear facing camera lens (35), which is located at the rear side (26b) of the head band (20). As shown, the front facing camera lens (30) and the rear facing camera lens (35) are adapted to record video and/or audio data of events occurring in a surgical setting. In one form of the invention, 180° lenses from the Insta360 One R camera are adapted for use as the front facing camera lens (30) and the rear facing camera lens (35). Any other suitable camera lenses known by those skilled in the art could also be used as desired.

The front facing camera lens (30) and the rear facing camera lens (35) are operably connected to an electronic controller (not shown), which allows for recorded video and/or audio data, including sound, from the at least one front facing camera lens (30) and the rear facing camera lens (35) to be transmitted to the electronic controller (not shown). The electronic controller processes the recorded video and/or audio data to create recorded video and/or audio footage, which may then be transmitted to an electronic device by way of a wired or wireless connection. In one form of the invention, the electronic controller may include the respective camera bodies associated with the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens, including a screen, such as an LCD display, for monitoring the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens, as well as switches for operating the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens. Alternatively, the camera lenses may be operated remotely via the electronic device, optionally including a screen.

In one embodiment, the electronic controller could be placed in the user’s pocket and connected by wires to the front and rear facing cameras lenses (30, 35) on the head band (20). In this case, the required wires (not shown) are preferably incorporated within the structure of the head band (20) to avoid the inconvenience of loose wires around the head of a user. Alternatively, a wireless connection, such as through WiFi or Bluetooth, could be employed to avoid the need for wires extending from the user’s pocket up to the head band (20). The electronic controller contains a wireless transmitter, which can operate by way of WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, mobile communication, or any other suitable wireless transmission means, in order to transfer the recorded video and/or audio footage to the electronic device. The types of electronic could include a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, smart television, etc. Alternatively, the electronic controller could include a memory card socket for receiving a memory card on which the recorded video footage can be stored. In other forms of the invention, the electronic controller is adapted to transfer real-time video and/or audio footage to the electronic device.

The electronic controller further contains a power source. In one embodiment the power source are batteries, which allow the surgical head camera arrangement to remain portable for ease of use. The batteries may be rechargeable or replaced once they are flat. Alternative power sources could also be used depending on preferences.

Advantageously, placement of the camera lenses (30, 35) at the front 26a and rear 26b sides of the head band (20) allows for a substantially 360° range of video footage, including audio, to be obtained of the surgical theatre environment. In particular, in the present embodiment the front and rear camera lenses are 180° lenses, which in combination result in a substantially 360° range of video footage. In an alternative embodiment, side camera lenses capturing a 90° range of view, for example, two additional camera lenses positioned on each left and right side of the head band, may be utilised in addition to the front and rear camera lenses, which further ensure that an entire 360° range of footage is captured.

The ability to capture a substantially 360° range of video footage allows for the capture of technical events related to surgical skills and also the non-technical events relating to communication, teamwork, situational awareness and decision making during a surgery. This is extremely important for teaching purposes as well as having a type of “black box” recording for instances where adverse events have occurred during surgery that need to be reviewed for any number of purposes. One particular advantage is that it helps surgeons to review performance and quality as part of continuing professional development. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figures 4 to 6, wherein the surgical head camera arrangement is shown as (100).

In particular, the surgical camera arrangement (100) includes a head band (120) adapted to be worn on the head of a user. The head band includes a circumferential strap (121), which can extend around the circumference of a user’s head. The head band (120) can also include a top strap (122), which is connected at a first end (123a) and a second end (123b) to the circumferential strap (121). The circumferential strap (121) and the top strap (122) can be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, carbon fibre, polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among others. Any suitable method of forming the straps (21, 22) can also be used, for example 3D printing. The connection of the top strap (122) to the circumferential strap (121) can be achieved by way of an adhesive, welding, or any other suitable attachment means.

In addition, at least one of the circumferential strap (121) and the top strap (122) are adjustable so as to fit different sizes of user heads. As shown in Figure 4, the circumferential strap overlaps itself around the front portion. In the embodiment depicted, the circumferential strap (121) has two adjustment knobs (124) positioned thereon, and the top strap has one adjustment knob (125), in order to manually tighten or loosen the respective straps (121, 122). Any other means of adjustment of the size of the head band (120) to suit a user’s preferences that would also be known by those skilled in the art could also be used. Further, the head band (120) has a front side (126a) and a rear side (126b), which are positioned at the respective front and rear sides of a user’s head when in use.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the surgical head camera arrangement 100 includes a front facing camera lens (130), which is located at the front side (126a) of the head band (120), and a rear facing camera lens (135), which is located at the rear side (126b) of the head band (120). As shown, the front facing camera lens (130) and the rear facing camera lens (135) are adapted to record video and/or audio data of events occurring in a surgical setting. In one form of the invention, lenses from the Insta360 One R camera are adapted for use as the front facing camera lens (30) and the rear facing camera lens (35). Any other suitable camera lenses known by those skilled in the art could also be used as desired.

The front facing camera lens (130) and the rear facing camera lens (135) are operably connected to an electronic controller (not shown), which allows for recorded video and/or audio data, including sound, from the at least one front facing camera lens (130) and the rear facing camera lens (135) to be transmitted to the electronic controller (not shown). The electronic controller processes the recorded video and/or audio data to create recorded video and/or audio footage, which may be transmitted to an electronic device by way of a wired or wireless connection. In one form of the invention, the electronic controller may include the respective camera bodies associated with the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens, including a screen, such as an LCD display, for monitoring the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens, as well as switches for operating the at least one front facing camera lens and the rear facing camera lens. Alternatively, the camera lenses may be operated remotely via the electronic device, optionally including a screen.

The electronic controller could be placed in the user’s pocket and connected by wires to the front and rear facing cameras lenses (130, 135) on the head band (120). In this case, the required wires (not shown) are preferably incorporated within the structure of the head band (20) to avoid the inconvenience of loose wires around the head of a user. Alternatively, a wireless connection, such as through WiFi or Bluetooth, could be employed to avoid the need for wires extending from the user’s pocket up to the head band (120).

The electronic controller contains a wireless transmitter, which can operate by way of WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, mobile communication, or any other suitable wireless transmission means, in order to transfer the recorded video and/or audio footage to the electronic device. The types of electronic device could include a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, smart television, etc. Alternatively, the electronic controller could include a memory card socket for receiving a memory card to which the recorded video and/or audio footage can be transmitted and stored. In other forms of the invention, the electronic controller is adapted to transfer real-time video and/or audio footage to the electronic device. The electronic controller further contains a power source. In one embodiment the power source are batteries, which allow the surgical head camera arrangement to remain portable for ease of use. The batteries may be rechargeable or replaced once they are flat. Alternative power sources could also be used depending on preferences.

The embodiment of the surgical head camera arrangement (100) depicted in Figures 4 to 6 also includes a second front facing camera lens (140), which is operably connected to the electronic controller (not shown) so that recorded video and/or audio date from the second front facing camera lens is transmitted to the electronic controller. The electronic controller processes the recorded video and/or audio data from the second front facing camera lens to create recorded video and/or audio footage, which may be transmitted to the electronic device by way of a wired or wireless connection, in the same way as discussed above in relation to the first front facing camera lens (130) and the rear facing camera lens (135).

As shown, the second front facing camera lens (140) is mounted to a gimbal (150), which allows for three-axis movement (or rotation) of the second front facing camera lens (140). A computer processing unit (160) is attached to the front side (126a) of the head band (120) and is adapted to control the gimbal (150) in order to stabilise footage recorded by the second front facing camera lens (140) despite movements of a user’s head. Alternatively, the computer processing unit could be located and form part of the electronic controller and connected to the gimbal (150) via a wired or wireless connection. In one form of the invention, the DJI Osmo Pocket is a 3-axis gimbal stabilised camera that could be used. Other models of gimbal-mounted cameras known by those skilled in the art could also be utilised, such as the DJI Mavic Pro, among others.

The electronic controller processes the recorded video and/or audio data to create recorded video and/or audio footage, which may then be transmitted to an electronic device by way of a wired or wireless connection. In one form of the invention, the electronic controller may include respective camera bodies for connection to each of the first and second front facing camera lenses and the rear facing camera lens, including a screen, such as an LCD display, for monitoring the first and second front facing camera lenses and the rear facing camera lens and switches for operating the first and second front facing camera lenses and the rear facing camera lens.

In one form of the invention, the gimbal (150) can be programmed so that the second front facing camera (140) remains focused on capturing footage of the surgical area (not shown) despite movements of the user’s head during surgery. Artificial intelligence could also be utilised in order to program computer processing unit (160), such that the gimbal (150) and second front facing camera (140) track specific objects, such as the heart, other organs, blood, etc. Accordingly, the computer processing unit (160) can be programmed to stabilise and track a surgical object by way of software algorithms and/or artificial intelligence.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the surgical head camera arrangement (100) can also include a front facing torch (170), which is useful for illuminating the surgical site. As shown, the front facing torch (170) can been connected to the top strap (122) by way of a bendable wire or cord (171), which allows for the positioning of the front facing torch (170) to be easily modified by a user. Alternatively, at least one torch could be incorporated with the first front facing camera lens (130) at the front side (126a) of the head band (120). Any other placement positioning or means of attachment of the front facing torch (170) that would be known by one skilled in the art could also be used. Further, LED or other suitable globes may be used as desired.

Overall, the combination of the first and second front facing cameras lenses (130, 140) and the rear facing camera lens (135) uniquely allows for a substantially 360° range of video footage, including audio, to be obtained of the surgical theatre environment, as well as recording stabilised footage of the surgical site. In particular, in the present embodiment the front and rear camera lenses are 180° lenses, which in combination result in a substantially 360° range of video footage. In an alternative embodiment, side camera lenses capturing a 90° range of view, for example, two additional camera lenses positioned on each side of the head band, may be utilised in addition to the front and rear camera lenses, which further ensure that an entire 360° range of footage is captured. The ability to capture a substantially 360° range of video footage allows for the capture of technical events related to surgical skills and also the non-technical events relating to communication, team work, situational awareness and decision making during a surgery. This is extremely important for teaching purposes as well as having a type of “black box” recording for instances where adverse events have occurred during surgery that need to be reviewed later on. In particular, it helps surgeons to review performance and quality as part of continuing professional development.

Figures 7 and 8 depicts the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6; however, several of the components are positioned differently. In particular, the first front facing camera lens (130) is attached on the computer processing unit (160) at the front side (126a) of the head band (120). The gimbal (150) incorporating the second front facing camera lens (140) is connected to an underside of the computer processing unit (160) such that movement of the gimbal does not obstruct the video data obtained from the first front facing camera lens (130). Other alternative arrangements of these components are possible and fall within the scope of the invention.

In a further form of the invention, the embodiments depicted in Figures 1 to 8 may be modified such that each of the first and second front facing camera lenses, the rear facing camera lens and the torch, where applicable, can be detached and removed from the head band and reattached as desired. This is achieved by incorporating the wiring for each component within the structure of the head band and having a series of connection ports at the desired locations for attachment and detachment of the first and second front facing camera lenses, the rear facing camera lens and the torch, as desired. Advantageously, this allows the surgical head camera arrangement to be tailored to suit the user’s desired camera and lighting requirements. Also, if there is a problem with any of the camera or torch components, it will be simple to replace that part without having to replace the whole surgical head camera arrangement.