Endoscopic Surgical Robot Pressure Relief With Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCNL procedures face challenges with pressure management inside the patient's body, leading to complications such as infection, bleeding, and low stone-free rates due to high-pressure irrigation methods without internal pressure control, and the need for prolonged physician handholding, increasing surgery risk.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic surgical robotic system with a pressure measuring channel, suction channel, and pressure relief valve to manage internal pressure, combined with a robotic arm for precise movement control of the endoscope, enabling real-time pressure monitoring and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-pressure irrigation method is used to maintain visual clarity, then visualization quality is improved, but internal organ pressure increases causing infection risk and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors internal organ pressure and feeds this information to a controller. The controller automatically adjusts the irrigation pump pressure based on the feedback signal, maintaining pressure within a safe range (e.g., 30-70 mmHg). This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by dynamically balancing visual clarity requirements against infection prevention, eliminating the need for constant high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-regulation of irrigation pressure through automated control. The pressure sensor and controller work together to automatically adjust irrigation parameters without physician intervention, allowing the system to self-correct pressure deviations. This self-service capability maintains optimal visual conditions while inherently preventing pressure-related complications through continuous autonomous monitoring and adjustment.
2Productivity
If high-pressure irrigation is maintained to ensure stone-free rate, then stone removal efficiency is improved, but tissue damage and bleeding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static high-pressure irrigation approach into a dynamic pressure control system. The irrigation pressure is no longer fixed but continuously adjusted based on real-time pressure sensor feedback. The system can dynamically increase pressure when stone clearance is needed and decrease it when approaching safe thresholds, optimizing stone-free rates while preventing tissue damage through adaptive pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter from a constant high value to a variable parameter within a controlled range. By implementing automated pressure regulation, the irrigation pressure can be modulated between minimum and maximum safe limits, allowing optimal stone fragmentation and clearance at lower pressures than traditional methods, thereby reducing tissue trauma while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If physician handholds percutaneous nephroscope throughout operation, then procedural control is improved, but surgery time increases and fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual control system with an automated robotic control system. The robotic arm, controlled by the physician through a console, takes over the physical task of holding and positioning the percutaneous nephroscope. This substitution maintains precise procedural control while eliminating the time loss and fatigue associated with continuous manual handholding, allowing the physician to operate from a comfortable seated position.
4Device complexity
If constant pressure pump is used for irrigation, then simplicity of device is maintained, but internal pressure control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified irrigation system. The irrigation pump is equipped with both pumping capability and built-in pressure sensor, while the controller handles both monitoring and regulation tasks. This multi-functional design maintains relative simplicity by combining what would otherwise be separate devices, enabling reliable internal pressure control without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances safety and efficiency by maintaining optimal internal pressure, reducing complications, and allowing for safer, more precise stone removal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the sheath, wherein once the pressure reaches a threshold, the pressure relief valve opens to allow removal of the irrigation fluid in the suction channel, thereby lowering pressure within the organ
Implementation Method 2
a suction pump in fluid communication with the suction channel, for pumping out and removing the irrigation fluid from the organ
Implementation Method 3
a perfusion-suction pump for continuously pumping the irrigation fluid into the organ and continuously removing the irrigation fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are surgical robotics, and particularly a perfusion and suction pumping system of a medical instrument for operation within organs of a patient's body. Methods for using the same are also provided.