Surgical Robot Cannula Adapter With Translational Jaw Clamping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cannula adapters for surgical robots face issues such as large occupied space, difficult one-handed operation, complex structure, and unstable clamping due to deviation between the clamping force direction and position, leading to poor convenience and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A cannula adapter design featuring translational clamping jaws guided by intersecting guide members and an elastic assembly, allowing one-handed operation and precise alignment of the clamping force with the cannula tip, reducing deviation errors and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cannula adapters use complex clamping mechanisms to ensure stable clamping, then clamping reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential clamping function from complex mechanical mechanisms and implements it through a simple elastic assembly with clamping jaws that directly engage the cannula. The elastic assembly provides inherent restoring force for clamping without requiring complex actuation mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic assembly automatically provides clamping force through its inherent elasticity, and the clamping jaws self-align with the cannula through the guiding direction provided by the guide member. This self-aligning and self-clamping mechanism eliminates the need for complex positioning and actuation systems while ensuring stable clamping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional cannula adapters use larger structures to accommodate complex mechanisms, then operational stability improves, but the space occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an elastic assembly that functions as a flexible structural element, replacing rigid and bulky mechanical components. The elastic nature of the assembly allows it to provide stable clamping forces while occupying minimal space, as it can deform elastically rather than requiring large mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping jaws are disposed within the adapter body and guided by the guide member, creating a nested arrangement where the clamping mechanism is contained within the compact adapter structure. This nesting allows the clamping function to be integrated into a small footprint while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If conventional cannula adapters use manual two-handed operation for engagement, then secure connection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic assembly automatically engages the cannula when the clamping jaws are positioned correctly, using the inherent elastic restoring force to secure the connection. This self-engaging mechanism allows one-handed operation while maintaining secure connection, as the system performs the clamping action automatically rather than requiring manual actuation of complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member acts as an intermediary that guides the cannula into the correct position relative to the clamping jaws, ensuring proper alignment without requiring complex positioning mechanisms. This simple guiding structure enables secure one-handed engagement by automatically aligning components as the cannula is inserted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances operational convenience, reduces space requirements, and improves clamping reliability by ensuring the clamping force aligns with the cannula tip, facilitating efficient and stable cannula attachment.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic assembly disposed in the adapter body and configured to provide a driving force to cause the at least one clamping jaw to move along the guiding direction of the first guide member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4393444B1Cannula adapter and surgical robot
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CORNERSTONE TECH (SHENZHEN) LTD
  • EP4393444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4393444B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4393444B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a cannula adapter and a surgical robot. The cannula adapter includes an adapter body, a first guide member, a clamping jaw, an operating actuation mechanism, and a follower mechanism. The first guide member is fixedly disposed in the adapter body. The clamping jaw is disposed in the adapter body and limited by the first guide member, and is configured to translate between a first position and a second position in a guiding direction of the first guide member. The follower mechanism is configured to be driven by the operating actuation mechanism to move. The follower mechanism and the at least one clamping jaw are cooperatively movable, the at least one clamping jaw is in the first position when the follower mechanism is in a third position, and the at least one clamping jaw is in the second position when the follower mechanism is in a fourth position.