Medical Instrument Alignment Mechanism for Sterile Robotic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures, particularly those involving robotic systems, face challenges in efficiently aligning and attaching medical instruments to robotic arms, which can complicate the insertion and manipulation of instruments, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential sterility issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of alignment and attachment systems that include alignment mechanisms extending through the longitudinal axis of the instrument handle, featuring spiral surfaces and ball bearings, which facilitate rotational alignment and secure locking of medical instruments to adapters on robotic arms, ensuring precise attachment and sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional alignment and attachment methods are used for medical instruments on robotic arms, then the attachment can be achieved, but the alignment process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spiral groove alignment mechanism where a spiral surface on the adapter rotates the instrument handle into proper alignment as it is inserted. The spiral curvature automatically guides the rotation, transforming a complex manual alignment task into a simple insertion motion that self-aligns the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mechanism is designed to be passive and self-aligning. As the instrument is inserted into the adapter, the spiral groove automatically rotates the instrument into the correct orientation without requiring external actuation or complex control systems. The geometry of the spiral itself performs the alignment function.
2Productivity
If manual alignment and attachment procedures are used, then flexibility is maintained, but operational efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-configured with the spiral alignment groove and locking mechanism before the instrument is brought to it. This preliminary preparation allows the instrument to be quickly aligned and locked upon insertion, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment adjustments during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical alignment procedures with a passive mechanical guidance system. The spiral groove geometry substitutes for manual rotation and positioning actions, allowing rapid attachment through simple insertion motion while maintaining precise alignment.
3Measurement precision
If complex attachment mechanisms are used to ensure precise alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the risk of sterility contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable components: a sterile adapter that interfaces with the instrument and a non-sterile robotic arm interface. The adapter acts as a sterile barrier that can be pre-packaged and sterilized separately, allowing precise alignment mechanisms to be contained within the sterile field without exposing the entire robotic system to sterilization requirements.
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
These systems enhance the ease and precision of instrument alignment and attachment, allowing for improved control and reduced clutter in the operating room, while maintaining sterility and enabling single-user operation of robotic medical systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first alignment structure comprises a spiral surface on the elongated body, and the second attachment structure comprises a bearing surface within an opening of the adapter
Implementation Method 2
the locking element comprises a ball bearing
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical instrument can include alignment and attachment mechanisms for aligning and attaching the medical instrument to another device, such as an adapter on an instrument drive mechanism. For example, a medical system can include a medical instrument having an instrument handle and an elongated body. The system can include an alignment mechanism configured to provide rotational alignment between the medical instrument and an adapter. The system can also include an attachment mechanism configured to secure the medical instrument to the adapter. The attachment mechanism can include at least three locking elements positioned circumferentially about the axis.