Hyperdexterous Surgical Arms for Precise Control in Compact Workspaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic surgical systems are limited by their bulkiness, restricted flexibility, and inability to simultaneously use manual and hyperdexterous tools, leading to reduced operational efficiency and increased complexity in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A hyperdexterous surgical system that includes compact, modular surgical arms with redundant degrees of freedom, allowing for simultaneous use of manual and hyperdexterous tools, and enabling the surgeon to move freely during procedures, with enhanced visualization and control systems to improve natural motion understanding and workspace accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If robotic surgical systems use large robotic arms to control robotic tools, then the robotic tools can be precisely controlled within the body, but the system becomes bulky and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into multiple independent robotic arms rather than one large complex arm. Each arm is smaller and more maneuverable, yet collectively they provide comprehensive control capability. The arms can be independently positioned and controlled to access different surgical sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single large robotic arm operating in limited space to multiple robotic arms operating from different spatial dimensions and angles. This allows the surgical tools to be controlled precisely while keeping each individual arm compact and flexible.
2Measurement precision
If robotic surgical systems use complex mechanisms to control tool rotation and translation, then the tools can be precisely positioned, but the mechanism size increases and interferes with adjacent robotic arms
Solution Approach 1:
The complex rotation and translation mechanisms are extracted and minimized in size. The patent specifically designs compact mechanisms that reduce the spatial footprint, preventing interference with adjacent robotic arms while maintaining precise control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation and translation mechanisms are designed with nested structures where components are arranged concentrically or in compact configurations. This minimizes the overall mechanism size while preserving the full range of motion and positioning precision.
3Area of stationary object
If robotic arms are positioned closer together to maximize workspace, then space utilization improves, but the complex rotation and translation mechanisms interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
Each robotic arm is equipped with locally optimized compact mechanisms tailored to its specific operational requirements. The rotation and translation mechanisms are designed with minimal footprint specifically at the locations where they are most needed, allowing arms to be positioned closer without interference.
4Device complexity
If surgeons use manual laparoscopic tools, then the system remains simple and flexible, but the surgeon must practice to adapt to non-natural motion relative to the fulcrum
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's natural hand motions and the surgical tools. The robotic arms and control systems translate the surgeon's intuitive movements into precise tool control, eliminating the need to adapt to non-natural fulcrum-based motions while maintaining system sophistication.
Data Source
AI summary
A hyperdexterous surgical system is provided. The system on include one or more surgical arms coupleable in a fixture and configured to support one or more surgical tools. The system can include an electronic control system configured to communicate electronically with the one or more robotic surgical tools. The control system can electronically control the operation of the one or more surgical tools. The system can include one or more portable handheld controllers actuatable by a surgeon to communicate one or more control signals to the one or more surgical tools via the electronic control system to operate the one or more surgical tools. The one or more portable handheld controllers can provide said one or more control signals from a plurality of locations of an operating arena, allowing a surgeon to be mobile during a surgical procedure and to remotely operate the one or more surgical tools from different locations of the operating arena.