Capstan-Actuated End-of-Life Indicators for Robotic Surgical Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional minimally invasive surgical (MIS) instrument indicators are mechanically powered by the tool driver, reducing overall functionality and are not easily recognizable, leading to expired instruments being mistakenly reused, causing frustration and procedural delays.
Innovation Solution
A visual indicator assembly is integrated into the surgical tool, activated when its useful life is exhausted, providing a clear visual signal that the tool should be decommissioned without using the tool driver, and including a capstan assembly to ensure precise activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical indicators are powered by the tool driver, then the indicator function is achieved, but the overall functionality of the MIS instrument is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indicator function from the tool driver system by implementing a separate, dedicated indicator mechanism. The indicator is powered independently through a battery or other power source, allowing it to operate without consuming tool driver resources. This separation resolves the contradiction by maintaining indicator reliability while preserving full tool driver functionality for surgical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary power source (battery or external power connection) between the indicator and the tool driver. This intermediary provides the necessary power to the indicator without requiring the tool driver to allocate resources, thus maintaining both indicator functionality and tool driver versatility independently.
2Reliability
If conventional instrument indicators are used, then the indicator mechanism is in place, but the indicators are not easily recognized, leading to expired instruments being mistakenly reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes as the primary indicator mechanism. The indicator displays distinct colors (such as green for operational, yellow for caution, and red for expired) that are easily visible and recognizable. This color-coded system resolves the contradiction by maintaining a reliable indicator mechanism while dramatically improving detectability and recognition, preventing mistaken reuse of expired instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual alert mechanisms such as flashing or animated color patterns that create dynamic visual signals. These dynamic indicators are much more difficult to miss than static displays, resolving the contradiction between having a functional indicator mechanism and ensuring it is easily recognized and noticed by personnel.
3Reliability
If conventional indicators are used, then the indicator system exists, but procedural delays and frustration occur when expired instruments are discovered in the operating room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary indication of instrument status through clearly visible color-coded indicators that show whether an instrument is operational, expired, or requires attention before it is brought into the operating room. This preliminary visual information allows personnel to identify and replace expired instruments in advance, preventing procedural delays and frustration when instruments are discovered to be expired during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides continuous visual feedback about instrument status through the color-coded indicator system. This feedback loop ensures that personnel are constantly aware of instrument condition, allowing them to proactively manage instrument replacement and avoid discovering expired instruments during critical surgical procedures, thereby eliminating time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool includes a drive housing defining an indicator aperture, a drive input rotatably coupled to a bottom of the drive housing, and an indicator assembly arranged within the drive housing and actuatable to provide visual indication that the surgical tool has exhausted its useful life. The indicator assembly includes a capstan assembly operatively coupled to the drive input such that rotation of the drive input correspondingly rotates the capstan assembly, an indicator mount secured to the drive housing, and an indicator shaft extending from the indicator mount along a longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with the indicator aperture. The capstan assembly is rotated with the drive input to actuate the indicator assembly between a non-activated state, where the indicator shaft is recessed into the indicator aperture, and an activated state, where the indicator shaft extends out of the drive housing via the indicator aperture to provide the visual indication.