Medical Instrument Drive Interface With Insert-Free Barrier Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical robot systems require costly and time-consuming precise placement of inserts and transmission elements in medical barriers to transmit driving force and torque, increasing the complexity and cost of medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An interface design using a continuous medical barrier without special inserts or embedded transmission elements, coupled via complementary coupling surfaces and held together by a holding device, allowing for simplified handling and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inserts and transmission elements are embedded in the medical barrier to transmit driving force and torque, then the transmission function is improved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex inserts and embedded transmission elements from the medical barrier, extracting only the essential function of force transmission. The simplified barrier relies on friction between its surface and the coupling surfaces of the connecting elements, eliminating unnecessary structural complexity while maintaining transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion system (with precise placement requirements) with a friction-based mechanical contact system. The driving force and torque are transmitted through friction between the medical barrier surface and the coupling surfaces, eliminating the need for complex embedded transmission elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If inserts and transmission elements are precisely placed in the medical barrier, then the transmission accuracy is improved, but the preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force transmission function from the medical barrier structure itself. Instead of embedding transmission elements within the barrier, the barrier serves only as a separable protective layer, while the connecting elements with their coupling surfaces handle the precise force transmission, allowing independent optimization of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling surfaces are pre-designed with specific friction characteristics and geometric features that enable reliable force transmission without requiring precise placement during assembly. The holding device is also pre-configured to automatically position the connecting elements correctly, eliminating time-consuming manual placement.
3Ease of manufacture
If a continuous medical barrier without inserts is used, then the cost and handling are improved, but the driving force transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the system: the medical barrier has a surface with specific friction characteristics optimized for force transmission, while the coupling surfaces of the connecting elements have complementary geometric features and material properties that enhance friction-based coupling. This local optimization ensures sufficient force transmission without requiring complex embedded structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material strategies where the medical barrier is made of materials with appropriate friction coefficients, and the coupling surfaces are made of materials that complement the barrier's friction properties. This material combination ensures reliable force and torque transmission through friction alone, without needing embedded transmission elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an interface (10) for connecting a drive unit (12) to a medical instrument (14), comprising:at least one drive-side connecting element (16) with at least one first coupling surface (18), andat least one instrument-side connecting element (20) with at least one second coupling surface (22),wherein the two connecting elements (16, 20) can be coupled to one another via the respective coupling surfaces (18, 22) with the interposition of a continuous medical barrier (24), andat least one holding device (26) which is designed to hold the connecting elements (16, 20) together in a coupled state.