Ceiling-Mounted Articulate Support for Robotic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive robotic surgery systems face limitations in efficiency, ease of use, and mechanical complexity, with challenges in maneuverability, space utilization, and collision prevention during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of a robotic surgery system featuring a ceiling-mounted articulate support assembly with an orienting platform and configurable set-up joint arms, allowing for improved maneuverability, reduced mechanical complexity, and enhanced space utilization, along with a brake system and joint sensor system for precise positioning and collision inhibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional floor-mounted robotic manipulator supports are used, then the system provides stable support for surgical instruments, but the operating room space is consumed and maneuverability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from floor-mounted to ceiling-mounted robotic manipulator supports, utilizing the vertical dimension (ceiling space) instead of horizontal floor space. This dimensional change allows the robotic arms to be positioned overhead, freeing up floor space for surgical instruments and improving maneuverability in the operating room while maintaining stable support through the ceiling-mounted articulation mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently adjustable set-up arms are used, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the setup time and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independently adjustable set-up arms into a single integrated articulation mechanism with a common base and shared articulation joints. This unified structure allows multiple robotic manipulators to be positioned simultaneously through coordinated movement of shared joints, reducing setup time while maintaining positioning flexibility through the articulation of the combined mechanism
3Volume of moving object
If ceiling-mounted articulation is implemented, then space utilization improves, but collision risk between manipulators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensor systems that detect the positions and orientations of robotic manipulators in real-time and provide feedback to a control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to monitor potential collisions between ceiling-mounted manipulators and automatically adjust their positions or restrict movement to prevent collisions, ensuring safe operation while maintaining the space-saving ceiling-mounted configuration
4Ease of manufacture
If modular manipulator support is used, then ease of assembly and reconfiguration is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the robotic manipulator support system into modular components including a ceiling-mounted base unit, articulated arms, manipulator holders, and positioning fixtures. Each module can be independently assembled, configured, and repositioned, simplifying the assembly process and enabling flexible reconfiguration for different surgical procedures while the standardized connection interfaces manage the overall structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic surgery system comprises a mounting base, a plurality of surgical instruments, and an articulate support assembly. Each instrument is insertable into a patient through an associated minimally invasive aperture to a desired internal surgical site. The articulate support assembly movably supports the instruments relative to the base. The support generally comprises an orienting platform, a platform linkage movably supporting the orienting platform relative to the base, and a plurality of manipulators mounted to the orienting platform, wherein each manipulator movably supports an associated instrument.