End Effector Joystick Controller for Medical Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems fail to provide effective manual control for positioning medical procedure positioning devices, often requiring surgeons to adopt non-ergonomic positions and exert excessive force, which can lead to trauma and inaccuracies during procedures like port-based brain surgery.

Innovation Solution

A medical navigation system featuring an end effector joystick controller with a processor, memory, and display, connected to a positioning arm, allowing for precise control and minimizing the need for awkward positioning through a joystick interface that senses six degrees of freedom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a surgeon manually positions the end effector of a medical positioning device, then the positioning can be adjusted, but the surgeon must adopt non-ergonomic positions and exert excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning end effectorVSAvoidsurgeon trauma and strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated robotic positioning system. The robotic arm with flange and end effector joystick controller substitutes the surgeon's direct manual manipulation, eliminating the need for excessive force and non-ergonomic positions while maintaining precise positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a robotic positioning device as an intermediary between the surgeon and the medical instruments. The robotic arm acts as a mediator that the surgeon controls indirectly through the end effector joystick, rather than directly manipulating heavy or awkward positioning equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a surgeon manually positions the end effector, then positioning adjustments are possible, but positioning precision decreases due to excessive force and awkward positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddifficulty of manual positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic positioning system replaces imprecise manual positioning with computer-controlled precise positioning. The automated system can achieve and maintain exact positions without the variability and error introduced by manual manipulation under ergonomic strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional manual control systems are used, then the device structure remains simple, but control precision and ergonomics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of control systemVSAvoidergonomics of control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector joystick serves as a simplified intermediary control device that the surgeon can operate comfortably. It translates surgeon intent into precise robotic arm movements, providing intuitive control without requiring direct manipulation of complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10588708B2End effector joystick for a positioning device

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A medical navigation system is provided having a positioning device having a positioning arm with a flange at the end of the positioning arm, a controller at least electrically coupled to the positioning device, and an end effector joystick controller for connecting to the flange of the positioning arm. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory and a display. The end effector joystick controller includes a mating component for connecting to the flange of the positioning arm, and a joystick portion extending from the mating component.