Wheeled Cart Vibration Reduction Member for Surgical Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient side carts in teleoperated surgical systems experience vibrations during movement, which can be transmitted to surgical instruments, necessitating the development of effective vibration reduction mechanisms to ensure instrument stability and precision during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A patient side cart equipped with a vibration reduction member that can be deployed and retracted relative to the base, using a hydraulic pressure system and actuation device to engage or disengage with the ground surface, along with a controller to automate deployment and retraction based on specific events such as cannula mounting and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a patient side cart is equipped with casters for mobility, then the cart can be moved about the operating room, but vibrations are transmitted to the mounted surgical instruments during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility of cartVSAvoidvibrations transmitted to instruments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary vibration reduction member positioned between the cart base and the surgical instruments. This member acts as a mediator that absorbs and dampens vibrations generated during cart movement, preventing them from being transmitted to the mounted instruments while allowing the cart to remain mobile on its casters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration reduction member is pre-positioned and configured to provide cushioning before vibrations occur. The member includes damping elements and energy-absorbing structures that are ready to absorb vibrational energy immediately when the cart moves, preventing vibration transmission to instruments in advance rather than reacting after vibrations occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration reduction members are added to the cart, then vibrations are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidstructure of cart
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration reduction member is integrated with the existing cart base structure, merging the vibration damping function with the cart's structural components. The damping elements are incorporated into the base assembly rather than being separate add-on components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vibration reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution significantly reduces vibrations in the patient side cart and surgical instruments, enhancing stability and precision during surgical procedures by automatically deploying and retracting the vibration reduction members without user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration reduction member (240) configured to be moved between deployed and retracted positions relative to the base... The vibration reduction member (240) may engage a ground surface in the deployed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic pressure system configured to supply hydraulic pressure to the actuation device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3753523B1Wheeled cart with stabilization
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
  • EP3753523B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3753523B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3753523B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system may include a base, a column connected to the base, a boom connected to the column, a manipulator arm connected to the boom, and a vibration reduction member. The manipulator arm may be configured to support a surgical instrument. The vibration reduction member may be configured to be moved between deployed and retracted positions relative to the base. The vibration reduction member may engage a ground surface in the deployed position and not be in contact with the ground surface in the retracted position. Various exemplary embodiments also relate to carts including a vibration reduction member and methods of controlling a vibration reduction member.