Microsurgical Input Component With Rotationally Agnostic Press Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microsurgical procedures, particularly in ophthalmic surgery, face challenges in accurately and precisely controlling surgical tools due to mechanical breakdowns in input detection systems and the need for rotational alignment during robotic operations.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system with input-receiving components that utilize deformable sleeves, magnetic structures, and magnetometers to detect operator inputs without relying on rigid mechanical motion, ensuring rotational agnosticism and precise control of surgical tools within the patient's eye.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid mechanical motion systems are used for input detection, then mechanical breakdowns occur, but rotational alignment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection reliabilityVSAvoidrotational alignment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid mechanical motion systems with magnetic field-based detection systems. Magnets embedded in the control component interact with magnetometers in the robotic unit to detect input signals, eliminating mechanical contact and motion requirements. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through contactless detection while eliminating rotational alignment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical position/motion to magnetic field characteristics. By detecting changes in magnetic field strength or orientation caused by magnet movement, the system achieves input detection without requiring mechanical motion or rotational alignment, thereby improving reliability and ease of operation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If rotational alignment is required during robotic operations, then precision control is achieved, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection precisionVSAvoidmechanical alignment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical alignment mechanisms by substituting them with magnetic field-based detection. The magnetometer detects magnetic signals from magnets embedded in the control component, providing precise input detection without any mechanical alignment requirements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the control component and robotic unit. This magnetic intermediary transmits input signals without requiring direct mechanical contact or alignment, simplifying the system while maintaining precision through non-contact signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system provides reliable and precise control of surgical tools, reducing mechanical breakdowns and enabling accurate, rotationally agnostic input detection, enhancing the precision and reliability of robotic microsurgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The deformable sleeve is configured to attenuate light that is directed from the one or more light sources toward the one or more light detectors, in response to being pressed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a magnetometer that is configured to detect magnetic flux that is generated by the magnetic structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic flux detection: Magnetometer

Data Source

PatentUS20260033903A1Input-receiving component for robotic microsurgical procedures

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 FORSIGHT ROBOTICS LTD

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are described including a control-component tool that includes a handle and an input-receiving component disposed on the handle. The input-receiving component includes one or more light sources disposed on a first radial wall, one or more light detectors disposed on a second radial wall that faces the first radial wall, and a deformable sleeve extending axially between the first and second radial walls and configured to attenuate light that is directed from the one or more light sources toward the one or more light detectors, in response to being pressed. A computer processor receives a signal from the one or more light detectors that is indicative of the light attenuation and controls a surgical tool in response thereto. Other applications are also described.