Resilient Drape Assembly With Integrated Guide For Surgical Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drapes for robotic surgical systems are cumbersome to install, prone to misalignment, and may compromise sterility due to perforations or the need for external fasteners, which can become loose during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A drape assembly for a robotic surgical system that includes a keeper coupled to the robotic arm, with a guide interface configured to releasably attach to the keeper interface, securing the drape to the robotic arm. The drape has a first portion with an opening for the robotic arm and a second portion with a cavity for accommodating the arm, both made from materials that ensure sterility and allow proper alignment with LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical drapes with external fasteners are used, then the drape can be secured to the robotic arm, but the installation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the guide structure directly into the drape assembly, combining the securing function and alignment function into a single integrated component. The guide includes features that simultaneously provide structural support, alignment guidance, and secure attachment to the robotic arm, eliminating the need for separate external fasteners and reducing installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary component between the drape and the robotic arm, providing a standardized interface that simplifies the attachment process. The guide includes engagement features that interface with corresponding features on the robotic arm, enabling quick and reliable securing without complex fastening procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If perforations are made in the surgical drape for connections and LED access, then mechanical and electrical connections can be made, but the sterility of the drape is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drape into distinct functional zones: a sterile barrier portion that maintains sterility and a guide portion that provides structural support and alignment. The guide can be selectively attached to the robotic arm without requiring perforations through the sterile barrier, allowing connections to be made in non-sterile areas while maintaining sterility where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide replicates necessary access features (such as LED access openings) in a controlled manner, allowing light to pass through while maintaining the integrity of the sterile barrier. The guide structure provides predetermined access points that can be precisely positioned without compromising the overall sterility of the drape assembly.
3Illumination intensity
If the surgical drape is compressed between the robotic arm and external fasteners, then LED light diffusion is facilitated, but unintended rips or tears may occur in thin plastic drapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the drape assembly. The guide is constructed with higher structural strength and rigidity to provide compression and light diffusion, while the main drape body maintains its sterile barrier properties with appropriate flexibility. This localized differentiation allows compression forces to be applied through the guide rather than directly to the thin plastic drape, preventing rips and tears.
Solution Approach 2:
The drape assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the guide is made from a more rigid material capable of withstanding compression forces and providing structural support, while the drape portion is made from flexible, sterile barrier material. This composite construction allows the assembly to simultaneously achieve light diffusion through compression while maintaining drape integrity.
4Measurement precision
If multiple LEDs are utilized along the robotic arm and end effector, then navigation accuracy is improved, but it becomes difficult to properly align external fasteners with corresponding LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple LEDs and corresponding fasteners along the robotic arm and end effector. The guide includes multiple engagement features and alignment references that work consistently regardless of the number or position of LEDs, providing a standardized method for aligning all fasteners with their corresponding LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide incorporates predetermined alignment features and reference marks that are pre-positioned during manufacturing to correspond with the locations of LEDs and fasteners. This preliminary alignment guidance eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during installation, as the guide itself provides the alignment function through its pre-configured geometric features.
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings generally provide for a robotic surgical system also including a robotic arm extending between a distal end and a proximal end; a keeper coupled to the robotic arm, with the keeper having a keeper interface. The system further including a drape including: a first portion defining an opening shaped to receive the distal end of the robotic arm there through, a second portion disposed in fluid communication with the first portion and defining a cavity shaped to accommodate at least a portion of the distal end of the robotic arm therein, and a guide disposed, between the first portion and the second portion and having a guide interface configured to releasably attach to the keeper interface of the keeper to secure the drape to the robotic arm.