Articulating Camera Stand Docking for Surgical Robot Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot-assisted surgery systems face challenges in managing space due to the need for a separate, independent camera stand that requires significant space and presents logistical difficulties in storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robot system that includes a camera stand with a base, housing, and camera-mounting portion, which can be docked within the robot base, reducing the overall footprint and allowing for easier maneuverability and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate, independent camera stand is used to provide optimal viewing angle, then camera positioning flexibility is improved, but the space required in the operating theater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera stand is merged with the surgical robot system by providing a docking interface that allows the camera stand to be physically connected to and stored within the robot base. This integration eliminates the need for a completely separate camera stand while maintaining the ability to position the camera optimally during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera stand is designed with dynamic configurability, allowing it to transition between a deployed state (when needed for optimal viewing) and a stowed state (when not needed). The articulating legs and docking mechanism enable the camera stand to adapt its configuration based on procedural requirements, effectively reducing permanent space occupation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate camera stand is used, then camera positioning flexibility is improved, but logistical challenges for storage and transportation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera stand is integrated with the surgical robot base through a docking interface, allowing the camera stand to be stored within or alongside the robot base. This merging eliminates the need for separate storage facilities and transportation arrangements for the camera stand, reducing logistical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot base is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the surgical robot system and as a storage structure for the camera stand. The docking interface and internal storage space within the robot base accommodate the camera stand, making the robot base serve dual purposes and eliminating separate logistical requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera stand is docked within the robot base, then space requirements are reduced, but the camera may lose optimal viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The camera stand incorporates articulating legs with multiple degrees of freedom that allow dynamic adjustment of the camera position and orientation. When docked, the camera can be positioned at various heights and angles through the articulating mechanism, enabling optimal viewing angles to be maintained despite the reduced spatial footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera stand utilizes vertical and angular dimensions through its articulating legs to achieve optimal camera positioning even when docked within the limited space of the robot base. The legs can extend vertically and articulate at multiple angles, effectively using three-dimensional space to maintain viewing quality despite horizontal space constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for detecting a position of an object with a robot surgical system having an articulable, separable camera stand. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base with a robot arm and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector, surgical instruments, the patient, other objects, or any combination thereof, may be tracked via active and/or passive tracking markers. A camera, such as an infrared camera, a bifocal camera or a stereophotogrammetric infrared camera, is mounted on a separable camera stand and is able to detect the tracking markers when in use. Using the camera, the robot determines a position of the object from the tracking markers, which may be a three-dimensional position of the object or the markers. When convenient, the camera base may be assembled into the robot base, e.g., by sliding the camera base into the robot.