Medical Drive Interface Using Magnetic Coupling Across a Continuous Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical robot systems require complex and costly medical barriers with inserts or embedded transmission elements for sterile environments, increasing workload and costs.
Innovation Solution
An interface design using a continuous medical barrier without special inserts or embedded elements, employing complementary coupling surfaces and a holding device with magnetic interaction and clamping units to transmit drive force and torque, simplifying handling and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a continuous medical barrier without inserts or embedded transmission elements is used, then costs are reduced and handling is simplified, but drive force and torque transmission becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based force transmission through the medical barrier with magnetic field-based transmission. Drive magnets on the drive side and driven magnets on the instrument side transmit rotational force through magnetic attraction/repulsion across the barrier, eliminating the need for mechanical penetrations while maintaining effective torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The medical barrier serves as a non-contact intermediary medium between the drive side and instrument side. Magnetic fields penetrate the barrier to transmit rotational force without requiring physical contact or openings in the barrier, allowing the barrier to maintain its protective function while enabling force transmission
2Ease of manufacture
If a continuous medical barrier without inserts or embedded transmission elements is used, then costs are reduced and handling is simplified, but reliability of force transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based force transmission through the medical barrier with magnetic field-based transmission. Drive magnets on the drive side and driven magnets on the instrument side transmit rotational force through magnetic attraction/repulsion across the barrier, eliminating the need for mechanical penetrations while maintaining effective torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The medical barrier serves as a non-contact intermediary medium between the drive side and instrument side. Magnetic fields penetrate the barrier to transmit rotational force without requiring physical contact or openings in the barrier, allowing the barrier to maintain its protective function while enabling force transmission
3Ease of operation
If a continuous medical barrier without inserts or embedded transmission elements is used, then handling is simplified and placement precision requirements are reduced, but the complexity of ensuring proper coupling and force transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric coupling surfaces where the drive-side connecting element has a coupling surface with a specific geometry that complements the instrument-side connecting element. This asymmetric design ensures proper alignment and coupling of the magnetic transmission elements while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling mechanism provides self-alignment and self-centering functionality. When the connecting elements are brought together, the magnetic attraction forces automatically align the drive and driven magnets, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures
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
Simplifies handling and reduces costs by using a cost-effective, single-use medical barrier that maintains sterility without complex placement, enhancing the interface's functionality and reducing overall medical application costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one drive-side connecting element with at least one first coupling surface, and at least one instrument-side connecting element with at least one second coupling surface, wherein the two connecting elements can be coupled to each other via the respective coupling surfaces with the interposition of a continuous medical barrier
Implementation Method 2
at least one holding device which is designed to hold the connecting elements together in a coupled state
Data Source
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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), and - at 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), and - at least one holding device (26) which is designed to hold the connecting elements (16, 20) together in a coupled state.