Autonomous Surgical Tool Exchange for Space-Constrained Operating Rooms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating rooms require significant space to accommodate medical imaging systems, robotic surgical systems, and other equipment, leading to costly renovations or new facility construction, and reducing the number of available operating rooms.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates autonomous vehicles (AVs) and robotic surgical systems, allowing AVs to interact with robotic systems to provide surgical tools, and connect to a metaverse for real-time data and image sharing, thereby optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If medical imaging systems, robotic surgical systems and other equipment are included in the operating room, then surgical procedure capability is improved, but space occupation and floor space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the operating room equipment into separate mobile robotic vehicles instead of having all equipment in one fixed location. The robotic surgical system, medical imaging system, and tool storage are segmented into independent autonomous vehicles that can move freely, reducing the need for dedicated large spaces for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicles are designed to perform multiple functions. The robotic surgical system can accommodate different surgical tools, the mobile platform can serve as both imaging system support and tool delivery vehicle, and the vehicles can be reconfigured for different surgical procedures, maximizing the utility of limited space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If medical imaging systems and robotic surgical systems are installed in the operating room, then surgical functionality is enhanced, but the number of available operating rooms decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, fixed installations to dynamic mobile robotic vehicles. The autonomous vehicles can be moved between different operating rooms as needed, allowing the same advanced surgical system to serve multiple rooms sequentially rather than requiring dedicated space in each room, thereby increasing the effective number of available operating rooms.
3Area of stationary object
If autonomous vehicles are used to transport surgical tools, then space efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicles are equipped with self-navigation and self-positioning capabilities. They can autonomously navigate to the operating room, position themselves correctly, deliver surgical tools, and return to storage without constant human intervention, reducing the operational complexity despite the added technological features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time tracking and communication between the autonomous vehicles, surgical systems, and control interfaces. This feedback mechanism allows for coordinated operation where the vehicle status, tool inventory, and surgical room requirements are continuously monitored and adjusted, managing system complexity through intelligent control rather than mechanical simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a robotic surgical system and an autonomous vehicle. The robotic surgical system includes a surgical tool. The autonomous vehicle is configured to remove the surgical tool from the robotic surgical system.