Integrated Medical Workstation Operating Device for Robotic Arm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical workstations with robotic arms lack flexibility in operation, requiring multiple devices and workstations for controlling and viewing patient data, which complicates surgical procedures and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

An operating device with a control unit and manual input devices that generate signals for robot arm movement, connected to a hospital data network for data transmission and display, allowing for single-station operation with augmented reality capabilities and force-feedback control, enabling seamless manipulation of robotic arms and patient data without additional input devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices and workstations are used for controlling robotic arms and viewing patient data, then functional completeness is improved, but device complexity and operational flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the robotic arm control functions and patient data viewing capabilities into a single integrated operating device. The control unit receives input signals for robot arm manipulation while simultaneously accessing and displaying patient data through the same device interface, eliminating the need for separate workstations and improving operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a robotic arm controller and as a patient data display terminal. The control unit can process different types of inputs (movement commands and data requests) and switch between functions as needed, making the device universally applicable for both control and information display tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate devices are used for control and data viewing, then functional completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to interrupted procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprocedure interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the control unit and data display into a single operating device, the surgeon can access patient data without leaving the control station. This integration eliminates the time loss associated with moving between separate devices and maintains continuous procedural flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional input devices are provided for data manipulation, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata manipulation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of input devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to serve multiple purposes: it processes input signals for robotic arm control and simultaneously functions as an interface for patient data access and manipulation. The same input mechanisms used for controlling the robot are also utilized for navigating and interacting with patient data, eliminating the need for separate input devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed to serve multiple purposes: it processes input signals for robotic arm control and simultaneously functions as an interface for patient data access and manipulation. The same input mechanisms used for controlling the robot are also utilized for navigating and interacting with patient data, eliminating the need for separate input devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2328501B1Medical work station and operating device for manually moving a robot arm of a medical work station
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP2328501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2328501B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical work station and to an operating device (1) for manually moving a robot arm (M1-M3) of a medical work station. The operating device (1) comprises a control device (5), a manual first input device (E2) coupled with the control device (5), and a screen (6). The control device (5) comprises an interface (8), which is provided in order to be connected to a hospital data network (9). The control device (5) is arranged to produce a first signal for controlling a motion of a first robot arm (M2) provided for treating a living being (P), provided as a result of a manual motion of the first input device (E2), so that the first robot arm (M2) performs a motion corresponding to the manual motion, to fetch data associated with the living being (P) through the interface (8) and the hospital data network (9), and to depict informational content (11) associated with the data on the screen (6).