Autonomous Robotic Colonoscope Cart for Concurrent Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional colonoscopy techniques require significant technical expertise to navigate the colonoscope effectively, leading to challenges such as pain, discomfort, excessive looping, and risk of perforation, while also potentially missing polyp identification due to human error.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robotic system comprising a surgical console, a control tower, and multiple autonomous robotic colonoscope carts, each equipped with a robotic arm, an endoscope, and a computing device that allows for autonomous advancement and image analysis, enabling simultaneous colonoscopies with reduced human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional colonoscopy is performed by medical practitioners, then polyp detection can be conducted, but technical expertise is required and human error may lead to missed polyp identification
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic colonoscope system performs self-navigation through the colon using autonomous control algorithms and self-adjusting mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by medical practitioners while maintaining polyp detection capability through integrated imaging sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manipulation system operated by practitioners with an automated robotic control system that uses computational algorithms, sensors, and actuators to navigate the colonoscope autonomously, thereby eliminating human error in navigation while preserving detection functions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual colonoscope manipulation is used, then polyp detection is possible, but excessive looping and stretching occurs causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic colonoscope autonomously adjusts its own positioning and orientation through integrated sensors and control algorithms, automatically preventing excessive looping and stretching by detecting colon geometry and adapting its path in real-time without requiring manual skill
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback from sensors that monitor colonoscope position, colon geometry, and applied forces, using this information to continuously adjust navigation parameters and prevent harmful effects such as excessive looping and stretching that cause patient discomfort
3Object-affected harmful factors
If robotic endoscope guidance is implemented, then pain and patient discomfort are reduced, but significant technical expertise is still required for guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic colonoscope system performs self-guidance through autonomous navigation algorithms that process sensor data and automatically control actuation, eliminating the need for external technical expertise in real-time guidance while maintaining the comfort benefits of robotic manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for skilled human guidance with an automated computational system that uses image processing, path planning algorithms, and real-time control to navigate the colonoscope autonomously, thereby eliminating the expertise requirement while preserving patient comfort
4Productivity
If multiple concurrent colonoscopies are performed, then screening productivity increases, but manual monitoring of multiple procedures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring functions of multiple colonoscopy procedures into a single integrated control console that displays and manages all procedures simultaneously, allowing one operator to efficiently monitor and control multiple autonomous robotic systems through a unified interface
Solution Approach 2:
The control console is designed with universal functionality to monitor and control any number of autonomous robotic colonoscopes through standardized interfaces, enabling scalable expansion from one to multiple procedures without increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical robotic system for performing multiple simultaneous colonoscopies includes a surgical console, a control tower, and a plurality of autonomous robotic colonoscope carts. Each autonomous robotic colonoscope cart includes a robotic arm, an endoscope operably coupled to the robotic arm, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to control autonomous advancement or retraction of the endoscope through the colon and transmit images captured by the endoscope to the control tower for display on the surgical console. The computing device is also configured to analyze the images captured by the endoscope as the endoscope is advanced or retracted through the colon, tag one or more images analyzed as corresponding to an area of interest within the colon, and cause the surgical console to display the tagged image while the endoscope is within a vicinity of the area of interest within the colon.