Grip Safety Sensor Handle for Robotic Surgical Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic surgical systems, particularly for endoluminal and single-site surgery, lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent unintended instrument control due to improper handling by surgeons, leading to potential accidents and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a grip safety sensor in the user input handle of robotic surgical systems to detect proper grasping by the user and activate a control mode or safety mode accordingly, with features like detachable gripping portions and finger clutch buttons to enhance safety and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a robotic surgical system is designed for endoluminal and single-site surgery, then procedural safety and reduced recovery time are improved, but the risk of unintended instrument control due to improper handling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural safetyVSAvoidunintended instrument control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grip safety sensor is activated before the surgical instrument can be controlled, requiring the surgeon to properly grasp the handle first. This preliminary detection of proper hand placement prevents unintended instrument control before it can occur during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grip safety sensor acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's hand and the surgical instrument control system. It mediates the control signal by detecting proper grasping and only allowing instrument control when the sensor confirms correct hand placement, thus preventing direct unintended control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a grip safety sensor is added to the user input handle, then safety control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety controlVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grip safety sensor is integrated into the existing user input handle structure, allowing the handle to serve multiple functions: both as a control interface and as a safety detection device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms and minimizes overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grip safety sensor is merged with the handle structure rather than being a separate component. This integration combines the safety function with the existing control interface, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260026906A1Safety hand sensor systems for robotic surgical system

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 ENDOQUEST ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a user input handle for a hand control device of a robotic surgical system can include a gripping portion configured to be grasped by a user. The gripping portion can include a grip safety sensor configured to sense whether the gripping portion is being grasped by a user.