Inner Ear Micro Actuator With Imaging and Tension Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for inner ear surgery lack accuracy in judging surgical progress and practicality in design, leading to difficulties in otologic surgery, and do not integrate well with robotic arms, complicating surgical operations and disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A micro actuator with an end-effector mechanism, driving and sensing module, microneedle puncture mechanism, and high-precision linear driving module, incorporating an endoscope for real-time imaging and a tension sensor to monitor steel wire tension, enabling multi-degree-of-freedom bending and ensuring safe interaction with the intra-ear environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing actuators are used for inner ear surgery, then the surgical operation can be performed, but the actuator cannot provide real-time feedback to help doctors judge the progress of surgery accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates tension sensors and endoscopes into the actuator to provide real-time feedback during surgery. The tension sensor detects contact forces between the end-effector and intra-ear environment, while the endoscope provides visual feedback, enabling doctors to accurately judge surgical progress and make informed decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing actuators with linear modules are used, then the degree of freedom of overall feeding is realized, but the actuator has large size and is not easy to integrate with positioning robotic arm
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a modular segmented structure with multiple functional modules (end-effector mechanism module, driving and sensing module, microneedle puncture mechanism module, high-precision linear driving module) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables compact integration with positioning robotic arms while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested modular architecture where smaller functional modules are integrated within larger structural frameworks. The end-effector mechanism module contains the driving and sensing module, which in turn contains the microneedle puncture mechanism module, creating a compact hierarchical structure that reduces overall volume while preserving degrees of freedom.
3Reliability
If traditional high-cost surgery is used for inner ear treatment, then the treatment can be performed, but the trauma is greater and the cost is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thin round window membrane as a natural surgical access point. The microneedle puncture mechanism is designed to pierce this thin membrane minimally invasively, allowing direct access to the inner ear cochlea through the round window without requiring large incisions or extensive bone removal, thereby reducing surgical trauma while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
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 actuator facilitates minimally invasive surgery with accurate target reaching, providing real-time feedback for safe and precise operations, reducing surgical difficulty and enhancing safety through modular design and integration with robotic arms.
Implementation Method 1
a tension sensor in the driving and sensing module monitors tension changes of steel wires in real time
Implementation Method 2
the rolling saddle segments are connected in series by multiple steel wires within the driving and sensing module, enabling multi-degree-of-freedom large-angle bending both in-plane and out-of-plane under the varying tension of each steel wire
Data Source
AI summary
A micro actuator for inner ear injection and sampling surgery is provided. The microneedle puncture mechanism module is embedded in the driving and sensing module. The driving and sensing module is installed on the high-precision linear driving module. The end-effector mechanism module is installed in the front of the driving and sensing module. The microneedle puncture mechanism module passes through the end operating mechanism module and extends. An endoscope camera module located in the end-effector mechanism module provides real-time images of a surgical process. A tension sensor in the driving and sensing module monitors tension changes of steel wires in real time to ensure safe interaction with the intra-ear environment.