Flexible Shaft Surgical Instrument Support Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems with multiple surgical instruments face limitations in arrangement flexibility and require large, costly support devices due to the need for rigid shafts to be inserted together, restricting the arrangement of instruments and increasing device size.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with flexible shafts and independent supports allows for the arrangement of surgical instruments to be adjusted independently, using an insertion tube holder and support mechanism that enables movable supports for each instrument, reducing the need for a large support device and enhancing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical instruments with rigid shafts are inserted together through a single cannula, then the instruments can be inserted into the patient's body, but the main bodies of the surgical instruments must be arranged adjacent to each other, decreasing the degree of freedom in arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple independent support units (first support, second support, third support, fourth support), each capable of independently holding a surgical instrument. This segmentation allows each instrument to be positioned and arranged independently, greatly increasing the degree of freedom in arrangement while simplifying the overall configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support units are arranged in a two-dimensional array configuration rather than being constrained to a linear arrangement. This dimensional change allows instruments to be positioned not only along the insertion tube but also in lateral directions, providing multiple degrees of freedom for optimal instrument placement during surgery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large support device with arm assembly and support post is used to support multiple surgical instruments, then the instruments can be supported, but the device size increases, increasing the cost
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple support units are integrated into a compact nested structure where smaller support components are housed within or alongside larger structural elements. The support units can be arranged in a space-efficient configuration that minimizes the overall footprint of the support device while maintaining the capability to hold multiple instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
Each support unit is designed as a multi-functional component that can hold and position different types of surgical instruments. The supports share common structural elements and control mechanisms, allowing a single compact support device to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate, larger support systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system according to one or more embodiments may include: a plurality of surgical instruments each including a flexible shaft and an end effector; an insertion tube to hold the plurality of flexible shafts and to be inserted into a body of a patient from one end of the insertion tube; and a support device for supporting the plurality of surgical instruments and the insertion tube. The support device includes a plurality of supports respectively supporting the plurality of surgical instruments, a support mechanism supporting the plurality of supports together, and an insertion tube holder holding the insertion tube. The plurality of supports independently and movably support the plurality of surgical instruments, respectively.