Microsurgery Observation Arm with Active-Passive Point Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical observation devices for cranial neurosurgery are bulky due to complex configurations, making it difficult to perform precise point lock operations, which require both translational and tilting movements, and often result in the observation point being lost from the visual field during microsurgery.

Innovation Solution

A medical observation device with a simplified configuration that includes a holding unit with active and passive rotary shafts, where two shafts function as active shafts to control tilting and the others as passive shafts for translational movement, allowing for precise point lock operations with reduced size and weight, and employing force control for smooth movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a balance arm with double balance arms is used to mechanically regulate movement and realize point lock operation, then the point lock operation is achieved, but the device configuration becomes complicated and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepoint lock operationVSAvoidholding unit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is segmented into multiple rotary shafts (first through sixth rotary shafts) with distinct functions. The first and second rotary shafts are designated as active shafts for point lock operation, while the third through sixth rotary shafts are passive shafts for general positioning. This segmentation allows the system to achieve point lock operation without requiring all shafts to be active, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the desired operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a robot arm with six degrees of freedom is used to hold the operating microscope, then the point lock operation can be realized through position control, but the joints become larger and the whole device increases in size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepoint lock operationVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making all six rotary shafts active as in a traditional robot arm, the invention applies partial action by designating only the first and second rotary shafts as active shafts equipped with driving devices. The remaining third through sixth rotary shafts are passive shafts without driving devices. This partial activation achieves the point lock operation functionality while significantly reducing the size and complexity of the holding unit, as driving devices are not required in all joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If driving devices are mounted in all joints of a six-degree-of-freedom robot arm, then position control is achieved, but the joints further rearward require greater output and become larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition controlVSAvoidjoint size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is segmented into multiple rotary shafts (first through sixth rotary shafts) with distinct functions. The first and second rotary shafts are designated as active shafts for point lock operation, while the third through sixth rotary shafts are passive shafts for general positioning. This segmentation allows the system to achieve point lock operation without requiring all shafts to be active, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the desired operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making all six rotary shafts active as in a traditional robot arm, the invention applies partial action by designating only the first and second rotary shafts as active shafts equipped with driving devices. The remaining third through sixth rotary shafts are passive shafts without driving devices. This partial activation achieves the point lock operation functionality while significantly reducing the size and complexity of the holding unit, as driving devices are not required in all joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3175810B1Medical observation device
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS
  • EP3175810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175810B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175810B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a medical observation device including: an imaging unit (110) configured to photograph an image of an operation site; a holding unit (120) configured to be connected with the imaging unit and have rotary shafts which are operable with at least six degrees of freedom. Among the rotary shafts, at least two shafts are active shafts (220, 230) whose driving is controlled based on states of the rotary shafts, and at least one shaft is a passive shaft which is rotated according to direct external manipulation accompanying contact.