Bed-Mounted Surgical Tool Organization for Ergonomic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tool organizing systems for microlaryngoscopic surgery lack ergonomic design, leading to increased surgical errors, extended procedure times, and risks of tools falling or being mishandled due to inadequate access and positioning for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A bed-mounted articulated positioning arm system with adjustable instrument support surfaces and secure holders for surgical tools, allowing angled presentation and secure retention of instruments near the surgeon, reducing the need for manual handling and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a typical Mayo stand is used for tool organization, then tools can be arranged and handed to the surgeon, but the stand does not have ideal ergonomics for positioning near the patient head and laryngologist, leading to increased surgical errors and extended procedure times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies an articulated positioning arm with multiple degrees of freedom that can be dynamically adjusted to optimal positions for different surgical scenarios. The arm includes joints at multiple locations allowing flexible positioning of the instrument holder near the patient's head, adapting to various anatomical positions and surgical needs, thereby improving ergonomic accessibility and reducing surgical errors
2Productivity
If multiple tool exchanges are performed during surgery, then the surgeon can access different instruments, but the communication required increases surgical time and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-assembled instrument holder with multiple surgical instruments pre-organized and positioned within easy reach of the surgeon. The holder includes a base plate with instrument slots and an articulated arm that positions the entire instrument array at the optimal location before the surgery begins, eliminating the need for multiple separate tool exchanges and reducing communication overhead during the procedure
3Ease of operation
If microlaryngoscopic tools with long distal end effectors are used, then the surgeon can access the larynx with microscopic visualization, but the long tools increase the risk of extending beyond the border of the surgical tray and falling to the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an articulated positioning arm as an intermediary structure that extends beyond the surgical tray boundary to provide stable support for long distal end effectors. The positioning arm acts as a mediator between the surgical tray and the long instruments, providing an extended support structure that prevents instruments from falling to the floor while maintaining the surgeon's ability to access the larynx with microscopic visualization
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for securing surgical instruments to make them accessible by a surgeon while performing an operation on a patient is provided. The apparatus includes an articulated positioning arm that has a first arm section and a second arm section. The apparatus also includes an instrument support surface extending from the second arm section of the articulated positioning arm. The apparatus further includes a mounting interface that is capable of mounting the apparatus on a surgical bed. In addition, the apparatus includes a second device support connected to the mounting interface.