Surgical Robot Master Console Footrest Layout for Safe Pedal Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical robots pose risks of accidental pedal activation and inconvenience during operator breaks, due to the placement of foot pedals below the master console, leading to potential surgical accidents and difficulties in resetting operations.
Innovation Solution
A master console design featuring a foot pedal unit with distinct patterns, sensors, and adjustable footrests that allow operators to recognize and safely operate pedals without visual confirmation, reducing the risk of accidental activation and enhancing operational accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foot pedals are located below the master console, then the operator can manipulate surgical instruments using foot pedals, but the operator may accidentally touch the foot pedals when taking breaks, leading to surgical accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is extended laterally outward from the foot panel in a direction perpendicular to the operator's forward direction, creating a spatial separation between the resting position and the pedal activation zone. This dimensional change allows the operator to rest feet safely without accidentally pressing the pedals located on the foot panel.
2Ease of operation
If the operator takes a break by mounting feet on a base, then the operator can relieve fatigue, but the operator may touch foot pedals by mistake causing surgical accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The foot control unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: the foot panel containing pedals for active manipulation, and the extended footrest providing a separate, safe resting area. This segmentation creates clear spatial boundaries that prevent accidental activation while allowing operator rest.
3Device complexity
If foot pedals are placed below the master console, then space is efficiently utilized, but the operator cannot visually confirm pedal positions while concentrating on surgical display
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is provided with a distinct texture or pattern that differs from the foot panel surface, creating local quality differences that allow tactile differentiation. This enables the operator to recognize the resting position by touch alone, without needing visual confirmation, while maintaining efficient space utilization.
4Reliability
If the footrest extends outward from the foot panel, then the operator can rest feet safely away from pedals, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is integrated with the foot panel as a unified structure, where the footrest extends laterally outward from the foot panel. This merging approach provides safe foot resting functionality while maintaining a compact, cohesive device structure rather than adding separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a master console for a surgical robot. The master console includes: a base unit including a first base and a second base, the first and second bases being provided parallel to each other; and a foot pedal unit between the first base and the second base, wherein the foot pedal unit includes at least one foot pedal switch capable of being manipulated by a foot of an operator, a foot panel configured to support the at least one foot pedal switch, and a footrest extending outward from the foot panel.