Cannula Sterile Adaptor With Cam Clamping for One-Handed Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannula mounts and surgical systems face challenges in securely and efficiently mounting cannulas, particularly in teleoperated surgical systems, with a need for improved ease, reliability, and compatibility with varying cannula sizes.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cannula mount system with pivotable clamping arms and a cam follower mechanism, along with a cannula sterile adaptor featuring a rigid and compliant material combination, facilitates quick, secure, and reliable mounting of cannulas, accommodating varying sizes and ensuring proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cannula mount is used, then the cannula can be mounted securely, but the mounting process requires two hands and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula mount automatically actuates the clamping arm through a cam mechanism when the cannula is inserted, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the clamping action, enabling one-handed operation and reducing mounting time
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface is pre-configured to automatically engage the cam follower surface during cannula insertion, pre-programming the clamping sequence. This preliminary design of the mechanical interaction ensures that the clamping arm is actuated automatically without requiring additional manual steps
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cannula mount design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying cannula sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position and engagement point based on the cannula size. This dynamic element enables the mount to accommodate varying cannula diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface geometry is designed to provide variable clamping forces and engagement points, changing the mechanical parameters of the clamping action based on the cannula size. This allows a single mount design to adapt to different cannula dimensions through parameter variation in the cam profile
3Ease of operation
If a sterile adaptor with rigid material only is used, then the structure is strong, but it cannot provide proper cushioning and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile adaptor combines rigid material for structural strength with compliant material for cushioning and alignment. This composite construction maintains the necessary mechanical strength while adding the flexibility needed for proper positioning and error reduction
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sterile adaptor have different material properties - the rigid portions provide structural support while the compliant portions provide cushioning and alignment tolerance. This local differentiation of material quality addresses both strength and ease of alignment requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A cannula sterile adaptor for a surgical system comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a rigid material. The second portion comprises a compliant material. The cannula sterile adaptor comprises a depression to receive a clamping arm of a cannula mount of the surgical system. The first portion or the second portion may comprise the depression to receive the clamping arm.