Multi-Joint Treatment Arm for Precise Medical Apparatus Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dental and medical treatments, medical apparatuses are difficult to accurately position and fix for extended periods, especially when used by assistants or attached to instruments, leading to inefficiencies in treatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A treatment assistance apparatus with a multi-joint robot arm structure, including a base, joints, and a controller, that allows for precise positioning and fixation of medical apparatuses using driving parts, sensors, and pressure systems to adapt to various treatment environments and patient positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If medical apparatuses are used by assistant personnel or attached to simple instruments, then the apparatuses can be operated during treatment, but it becomes difficult to fix the apparatuses in an accurate position for a long time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability by assistant personnelVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into multiple independent components: a base unit, a movable arm assembly with multiple segments, and a medical apparatus mounting unit. This segmentation allows the mounting unit to be independently positioned and secured, achieving both ease of operation and position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A movable arm assembly acts as an intermediary between the base and the medical apparatus. This intermediary component provides adjustable positioning capabilities and secure mounting mechanisms, enabling assistant personnel to easily position and fix the medical apparatus at desired locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the medical apparatus is attached to an instrument, then it can be used during treatment, but it becomes difficult to position the medical apparatus at a desired position and not easy to change the position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability during treatmentVSAvoidposition adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The arm assembly incorporates movable joints and adjustable components that enable dynamic repositioning. The medical apparatus can be easily moved to different positions along the arm's range of motion and secured at any desired location, providing both usability during treatment and position adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing of positional parameters through the movable arm mechanism. Assistant personnel can adjust the arm's extension, angle, and height parameters to position the medical apparatus at various desired locations, then secure it in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a multi-joint robot arm structure is used for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex positioning system is segmented into modular components: base unit, arm assembly with defined joints, and mounting unit. Each segment has a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable and easier to operate while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-joint arm structure serves multiple functions: positioning, supporting, and securing the medical apparatus. This universal design achieves precise positioning without requiring additional separate components, thereby managing complexity through functional integration.

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

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

Enables quick and accurate movement and fixation of medical apparatuses to desired positions, enhancing treatment efficiency and portability across different treatment settings, allowing for easy operation and storage of user-defined positions.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure part is configured to press the ball joint by fluid pressure, magnetic force or electromagnetic force to fix the first adapter and the second adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the pressure part is configured to press the ball joint by fluid pressure, magnetic force or electromagnetic force to fix the first adapter and the second adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

the pressure part is configured to press the ball joint by fluid pressure, magnetic force or electromagnetic force to fix the first adapter and the second adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP4070756B1Treatment assistance equipment
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 GO MOO SAENG
  • EP4070756B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4070756B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4070756B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a treatment assistance apparatus, comprising: a base; a first joint of which oneside is coupled to the base to relatively move; a first arm of which one end is rotatably coupled to the other side of the first joint; a second joint of which one side is rotatably coupled to the other end of the first arm; an adapter arm of which one end is coupled to a first adapter to relatively move, and the first adapter is rotatably coupled to the other side of the second joint; a first driving part disposed in the first joint and configured to rotate the first arm; a second driving part disposed in the second joint and configured to rotate the adapter arm; a pressure part configured to stop a relative motion of the first adapter; and a controller configured to control the first driving part, the second driving part and the pressure part.