Motorized Surgical Tool Nested Drive Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic surgical tools are uncomfortable to use and limit surgeon dexterity, causing muscular fatigue, and prior robotic systems are often too large, preventing close proximity to the patient during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A motorized surgical tool system with articulated joints and rotations, powered by electric motors and gears, allowing for natural motion simulation and control, enabling close personal contact with the patient through small physical dimensions and adaptable interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motorized surgical tools with electric motors and gears are used, then muscular fatigue in surgeons is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested concentric hollow tubes where drive shafts are positioned within one another, with motors and gears integrated into the hollow spaces of these tubes. This nesting arrangement accommodates multiple mechanical components (motors, gear trains, drive shafts) within a compact cylindrical form factor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining motorized functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by arranging drive shafts and mechanical components in concentric circular patterns around central axes. Multiple drive shafts are positioned at different radial distances from the center, allowing independent actuation of surgical instrument components without increasing the tool's external diameter, thus managing complexity through spatial optimization.
2Ease of operation
If prior robotic surgical tools are used, then muscular fatigue is overcome, but the surgeon cannot get sufficiently close to the patient due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool implements a nested structure with concentric hollow tubes of decreasing diameter, where each tube contains drive shafts and mechanisms for controlling different degrees of freedom. This nesting allows multiple actuation systems to be packed within a small overall diameter, enabling the surgeon to work in close proximity to the patient while maintaining motorized control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into modular segments including a handle portion, articulated arm portions, and an end effector, with each segment independently controllable through dedicated drive shafts. This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve complex motions through coordinated rotation of multiple independent components, reducing the need for large mechanical structures while maintaining functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If motorized surgical tools with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then dexterity is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool is divided into multiple articulated segments including a handle, one or more articulated arms, and an end effector, with each segment capable of independent rotation about specific axes. This segmentation enables complex six-degree-of-freedom motion control through coordinated rotation of individual segments, achieving high dexterity while keeping each mechanical unit relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple drive shafts are nested concentrically within hollow tubes, with each drive shaft responsible for controlling a specific degree of freedom. The nested arrangement allows independent control mechanisms for multiple articulations to be integrated within a compact structure, enhancing dexterity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Reduces muscular fatigue in surgeons and enhances dexterity by providing natural motion control, allowing for efficient and precise surgical procedures while maintaining close proximity to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation is powered by means of electric motors driving combinations of gears and actuating mechanisms
Implementation Method 2
electric motors driving combinations of gears and actuating mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized surgical instrument that may be held by the surgeon or be attached to the surgeon's limb via a special adapter that includes an interface between the surgeon and the surgical tool is provided. The motorized surgical instrument includes mechanism, motors, gears, interface and power source that enable the surgeon to easily control the motorized surgical tools in order perform the surgical procedure.