Flex Sensor Handle for Surgical Robot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical robotic systems face inefficiencies in instrument exchange processes during procedures, which can prolong surgical times and complicate the use of interchangeable instruments with varying degrees of freedom and complexity, particularly due to complex mechanical interfaces and user input systems that do not effectively mimic natural hand motions.
Innovation Solution
A digital surgeon input handle with a flexible bend sensor that translates natural hand motions into robotic system commands, including jaw closure gestures, using resistive or capacitive flex sensors and haptic actuators to simplify user interface and reduce cognitive load, allowing for efficient control of surgical instruments with varying degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex mechanical interfaces and traditional input devices are used, then instrument exchange and control functions are achieved, but device complexity and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interfaces with a digital handling system that uses flex sensors to detect hand gestures. The flex sensor converts mechanical deformation from natural hand motions into electrical signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical coupling interfaces between the master console and surgical instruments. This substitution directly reduces device complexity while maintaining instrument exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential control function from complex mechanical interfaces and isolates it into a simplified digital sensor system. By taking out only the necessary gesture detection capability and implementing it through flex sensors, the system eliminates unnecessary mechanical complexity while preserving the core function of instrument control and exchange.
2Ease of operation
If traditional input handles are used, then robotic system control is achieved, but user interface intuitiveness and cognitive load are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the user's natural hand to serve itself as the input device. By placing flex sensors directly on or near the user's hand, the system detects natural hand gestures and motions without requiring the user to learn or adapt to complex mechanical handle operations. This self-service approach makes the interface highly intuitive while reducing cognitive load, as the user's natural motions directly control the robotic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical input handles with a digital sensor-based system that reads natural hand gestures. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and linkages between the handle and robotic system, replacing them with electronic signal processing that directly translates hand motions into control commands, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If rigid shaft instruments with mechanical interfaces are used, then surgical functions are performed, but instrument exchange time and procedural efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interface-based instrument control with a digital sensor system that detects hand gestures. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming process of mechanically coupling and decoupling instruments during exchanges, as the flex sensor system can rapidly detect gesture changes and translate them into control commands without mechanical intervention, thereby reducing instrument exchange time and improving surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the flex sensor system ready to detect hand gestures immediately, without requiring mechanical preparation or alignment during instrument exchanges. The digital sensor system can continuously monitor hand motions and instantly translate them into control commands, eliminating the need for preliminary mechanical setup that delays instrument exchanges in traditional systems.
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 flexible bend sensor handle significantly reduces the form factor of user input devices, enabling efficient communication of surgeon intent to robotic systems, thereby streamlining instrument control and exchange processes, and providing intuitive feedback through haptic actuators, thus enhancing procedural efficiency and reducing surgical time.
Implementation Method 1
A digital surgeon input handle with a flexible bend sensor that translates natural hand motions into robotic system commands, including jaw closure gestures, using resistive or capacitive flex sensors
Implementation Method 2
A digital surgeon input handle with a flexible bend sensor that translates natural hand motions into robotic system commands, including jaw closure gestures, using resistive or capacitive flex sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A surgeon input tool is configured to generate input to a surgical robotic system to actuate jaw open-close of a surgical instrument. The tool comprises a grip and an elongate member extending from the grip such that when the grip is positioned against a palm of a human hand, the elongate member is positionable in contact with a finger of the hand, such as the index finger. The member includes a flexible bend sensor which generates signals in response to bending of the member by the user.