Enhanced Force Sensed Surface Scanning Systems for Anatomical Organs

Publication ID: 24-11857379_0001_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Force Sensed Surface Scanning Systems for Anatomical Organs,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857379_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857379_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,379.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved force sensed surface scanning system for anatomical organs, enhancing accuracy and efficiency through dynamic force adjustment, real-time viscoelastic property data, and machine learning-based surface deformation compensation.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Force sensed surface scanning systems, devices, controllers and methods', has limitations in terms of contact force application, surface deformation, and scanning path optimization. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced force sensing and adjustment mechanisms, real-time viscoelastic property data integration, and machine learning-based surface deformation compensation.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced force sensed surface scanning system comprises a scanning robot with a surface scanning end-effector featuring a dynamic force adjustment mechanism to optimize contact force applied to an anatomical organ. The system also incorporates real-time viscoelastic property data to adjust contact forces and a machine learning module to predict and compensate for surface deformation offsets. Additionally, the system can generate a 3D surface deformation map of an anatomical organ using force sensing data and adjust the scanning path in real-time to optimize surface scanning accuracy.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces a novel dynamic force adjustment mechanism, real-time viscoelastic property data integration, and machine learning-based surface deformation compensation, which are not present in the original patent. These advancements provide improved accuracy, efficiency, and safety in force sensed surface scanning systems for anatomical organs.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different force sensing technologies, such as capacitive or inductive sensors, or the integration of additional sensors to detect other physical parameters. Variations of the machine learning module could also be explored, such as using different algorithms or training datasets.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced force sensed surface scanning system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in surgical navigation and planning systems. The system's improved accuracy and efficiency could lead to reduced surgical times, improved patient outcomes, and increased adoption in various medical specialties.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61B90/03
A	A61	A61B34/20
A	A61	A61B34/30
A	A61	A61B90/06
G	G06	G06T7/10
A	A61	A61B2034/2068
A	A61	A61B2090/065
A	A61	A61B2090/378
G	G06	G06T2207/10028
G	G06	G06T2207/30004

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical robotics and surgical imaging systems, specifically surface scanning technologies for anatomical organ mapping with a focus on force sensing and deformation compensation techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or robotics specialist with expertise in surgical navigation systems, force sensing technologies, machine learning applications in medical imaging, and robotic end-effector design, typically holding an advanced degree in biomedical engineering or robotics

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations and technological extensions of the source patent's core surface scanning methodology. The proposed enhancements, such as dynamic force adjustment and machine learning-based deformation compensation, represent logical incremental improvements using known techniques in robotic surgical systems. These variations would be considered obvious combinations of existing technological approaches within the field of medical surface scanning robotics.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Surface scanning end-effector configured to generate force sensing data for anatomical organ scanning

PTD Variation

Dynamic force adjustment mechanism integrated with multi-axis force sensor to optimize contact force

Obviousness Reasoning

Adding refined force control represents a predictable enhancement using standard sensor integration techniques, motivated by improving scanning precision

Source Patent Element

Surface scanning controller defining surface deformation offset

PTD Variation

Machine learning module to predict and compensate surface deformation in real-time

Obviousness Reasoning

Implementing machine learning for adaptive scanning represents an obvious application of contemporary AI techniques to improve existing deformation compensation methods

Source Patent Element

Scanning system for registering intraoperative and preoperative volume models

PTD Variation

Generating 3D surface deformation map and dynamically adjusting scanning path

Obviousness Reasoning

Creating real-time adaptive scanning paths is a logical extension of existing volume registration techniques, representing a design optimization familiar to skilled practitioners

Source Patent Element

Force sensing data collection during anatomical organ scanning

PTD Variation

Real-time viscoelastic property data integration for force modulation

Obviousness Reasoning

Incorporating additional sensor data to refine force application represents a standard engineering approach to improving scanning precision

Source Patent Element

Surface scanning end-effector for anatomical organ mapping

PTD Variation

Alternative force sensing technologies like capacitive or inductive sensors

Obviousness Reasoning

Exploring alternative sensor technologies represents a routine design variation within standard engineering problem-solving approaches

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857379 and the published technical disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious and anticipated, as the proposed enhancements represent predictable technological extensions employing known techniques in medical robotic surface scanning systems. The disclosed innovations constitute obvious combinations of prior art elements, rendering subsequent claims involving similar methodological approaches unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,379
Title	Force sensed surface scanning systems, devices, controllers and methods
Assignee(s)	Koninklijke Philips N.V.