Barrier Drape Adapter Assembly for Robotic Controller Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic surgical systems, particularly for endoluminal and single-site surgery, lack improvements in drape integration and retention mechanisms, which are crucial for maintaining sterility and efficiency during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A controller adapter system with an instrument controller housing, inner and outer drape adapters, and a locking mechanism that ensures secure mounting and electrical connectivity of a drape, allowing for efficient drape installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drape is integrated with conventional robotic surgical systems, then sterility maintenance is improved, but the system lacks secure retention mechanisms and efficient installation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The drape integration system is divided into separate functional components: an inner drape adapter for mounting to the instrument controller, an outer drape adapter for securing the drape, and a locking mechanism for retention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall installation and removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner and outer drape adapters are pre-configured with alignment features and mounting interfaces that enable quick attachment to the instrument controller. The locking mechanism is pre-positioned to automatically engage when the outer adapter is attached, eliminating the need for complex manual securing procedures during surgery.
2Reliability
If a secure drape retention system is implemented, then surgical field integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner drape adapter is nested within the outer drape adapter, which itself is mounted to the instrument controller housing. This nested configuration provides secure retention of the drape while minimizing the overall space required and reducing structural complexity compared to separate independent retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features, mounting interfaces, and locking mechanism are merged into an integrated adapter assembly that functions as a single unit. This combination simplifies installation compared to multiple separate components and reduces the risk of misalignment or improper securing.
3Manufacturing precision
If drape adapters with alignment features are used, then proper mounting orientation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features and mounting interfaces are designed with asymmetric geometries that permit attachment only in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design ensures proper mounting without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional orientation markers, simplifying both manufacturing and surgical installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are designed to automatically guide the drape adapters into the correct orientation during attachment to the instrument controller. The locking mechanism self-engages when the adapter is properly positioned, eliminating the need for manual orientation adjustment or complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller adapter system for a robotic surgical instrument controller assembly can include an instrument controller having a housing and one or more controller actuators. The housing can be configured to receive a drape opening structure on the housing. The system can include an inner drape adapter configured to mount to the instrument controller and extend distally from the instrument controller. The inner drape adapter can include one or more adapter actuators configured to receive actuation from the one or more controller actuators at a proximal side thereof, and to transmit the actuation to a distal side thereof. The system can include an outer drape adapter configured to axially retain the inner drape adapter to the instrument controller. The outer drape adapter can be configured to sandwich the drape opening structure to the housing of the instrument controller.