Manipulator Arm Light Display for Surgical System Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teleoperated surgical systems lack user-friendly ergonomic features and effective communication mechanisms to enhance human-machine interaction, leading to potential safety concerns and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of light features and integral displays on medical devices to provide context-sensitive information, along with ergonomic designs such as rounded cross-sections and smooth surfaces to ensure safety and ease of use, facilitating intuitive operation and reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light features and integral displays are added to provide context-sensitive information, then user safety and operational efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple feedback mechanisms (light features and integral displays) into a unified communication system that provides context-sensitive information. The light feature surrounding the interface and the integral display work together to convey system status, reducing the need for separate indication systems and managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through light features that change illumination states and integral displays that show context-sensitive information. These feedback systems provide real-time information about interface states, displacement values, and system status, improving user safety and operational efficiency by keeping the operator informed.
2Productivity
If light features and integral displays are added to provide context-sensitive information, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integral display provides context-sensitive information that helps operators quickly understand system status and make informed decisions. The display adapts its content based on the current operational context, providing relevant information that improves operational efficiency without requiring operators to memorize system states.
Solution Approach 2:
The light feature uses different illumination states (color changes) to indicate different interface states and system conditions. This visual coding system allows operators to rapidly assess system status at a glance, improving operational efficiency by reducing the time needed to interpret system state.
3Ease of operation
If ergonomic designs such as rounded cross-sections and smooth surfaces are implemented, then ease of operation and safety are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies rounded cross-sections and curved surfaces to the medical device structure. These ergonomic design features improve ease of operation by providing smooth surfaces that are comfortable for operators to touch and manipulate, while also enhancing safety by eliminating sharp edges that could cause injury.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system comprises a manipulator arm comprising a plurality of links; a manipulator drive interface supported by the manipulator arm and configured to operably couple with and transmit drive force to a medical instrument drive interface in a mounted state of a medical instrument comprising the medical instrument drive interface; and a panel display coupled to an outer surface portion of the manipulator arm. The panel display is controllable to operate: to display information about the surgical system, and to appear not readily detectable as a display.