Retractable Gear-Meshing Joint for Precise Surgical Arm Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures often require tools to be held in a precise and stable position for extended periods, and mechanical arms are used for this purpose, but existing mechanical arms lack the necessary precision and angular adjustment capabilities to support tools and limbs accurately without electrical power or causing interference with other tools.
Innovation Solution
An articulating surgical arm with high-resolution joints that utilize meshing gears with offset teeth to provide precise angular adjustments, allowing for accurate positioning of tools and support of limbs, and can operate without electrical power, reducing interference with other surgical tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical power is used to drive mechanical arms, then positioning precision and control capability are improved, but electrical interference with other surgical tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical motors with a purely mechanical gear-based positioning system. The mechanical arm uses meshing gears with offset teeth to achieve precise angular adjustments without requiring electrical power, thereby eliminating electrical interference while maintaining positioning capability through mechanical advantage and gear ratio mechanisms.
2Reliability
If mechanical arms are designed with simple structures, then ease of manufacture and reliability are improved, but positioning precision and angular adjustment capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical arm is divided into multiple segments with independent gear mechanisms at each joint. Each joint contains a set of meshing gears with offset teeth that can be adjusted independently, allowing precise angular control at each segment while maintaining overall system reliability through modular mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanisms incorporate adjustable offset teeth that allow dynamic reconfiguration of gear engagement positions. This enables continuous angular adjustment capability while maintaining reliable mechanical engagement, as the offset teeth can be positioned to provide optimal meshing at different angular positions.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical arms use meshing gears with offset teeth for precise adjustment, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gear functions are merged into a single integrated gear assembly where offset teeth serve both engagement and adjustment purposes. The meshing gears combine positioning, locking, and adjustment functions in one mechanism, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining high positioning accuracy through the offset tooth design.
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 articulating surgical arm achieves precise and accurate positioning of tools and support of limbs, enhancing the precision and accuracy of surgical procedures while minimizing electrical interference.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element disposable in the bore to engage the meshing gear tooth to bias the meshing gear tooth to extend from the meshing gear
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical arm assembly can include a link movable in space, an actuator, and a joint. The actuator can include a housing secured to the link and can include a cable within the housing, where the cable can be translatable relative to the housing and the link. The joint can include a main shaft, a main gear, a meshing gear, and a release plate.