Adjustable Arm Supports for Robotic Surgical Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems, including robotic arms, have high capital costs and are typically specialized for limited types of surgical procedures, requiring multiple systems and time-consuming manual reconfiguration for each procedure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robotics system with adjustable arm supports that can be configured to attach to a table, column, or base, providing four degrees of freedom for adjusting the position of robotic arms, allowing for independent adjustment of multiple arm supports to accommodate various surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized robotic arm systems are used to accommodate different surgical procedures, then the ability to perform various surgical procedures is improved, but the capital cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single robotic arm system with adjustable arm supports that can be configured for multiple surgical procedures. The arm supports can be positioned at different heights and angles, allowing the same robotic arm to perform various surgical tasks that previously required multiple specialized systems, thereby reducing capital cost and system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs motorized linear joints and motorized rotational joints that enable dynamic adjustment of the arm support position and orientation. This dynamic configurability allows the robotic arm to adapt to different surgical procedures without requiring multiple fixed specialized systems, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual reconfiguration of robotic arm system is performed for each surgical procedure, then the system can be adapted to different procedures, but the time consumption and physical demand increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reconfiguration with motorized linear joints and motorized rotational joints that can be controlled to adjust arm support position and orientation. This automated mechanical system reduces the time and physical effort required for reconfiguration compared to manual adjustment, while maintaining the ability to adapt to different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized joints enable the robotic arm system to perform its own reconfiguration automatically, reducing the need for physician intervention and manual adjustment. The system can be repositioned for different procedures through controlled actuation of the motorized joints, minimizing time loss and physical demand on medical staff
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic surgical system can include one or more adjustable arm supports that support one or more robotic arms. The adjustable arm supports can be configured to attach to either a table, a column support of the table, or a base of the table to deploy the adjustable arm supports and robotic arms from a position below the table. In some examples, the adjustable arm supports include at least four degrees of freedom that allow for adjustment of the position of a bar or rail to which the robotic arms are mounted. One of the degrees of freedom can allow the adjustable arm support to be adjusted vertically relative to the table.