Patient Stabilization Base for Robot-Assisted Surgical Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot-assisted medical procedures face precision challenges due to movement between the patient and instrumentation when robot arms or tools are decoupled from patient fixation devices, leading to temporary mispositioning of surgical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A patient stabilization system that secures the patient fixation apparatus to a surface, anchoring it with a patient stabilization system that rigidly attaches to both the patient fixation apparatus and the surface, thereby fixing the robot base with respect to the patient, minimizing relative movement between the robot base and surgical targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If robot arms or tools are decoupled from patient fixation devices, then size, space, convenience, and availability are improved, but relative movement between patient and instrumentation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling device as an intermediary component that connects the robot arm to the patient fixation device. This coupling device includes a first interface that couples to the robot arm and a second interface that couples to the patient fixation device, thereby maintaining precise positioning while preserving the benefits of decoupled system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed with nested structural interfaces where the first interface (for robot arm connection) and second interface (for patient fixation device connection) are integrated within a compact coupling mechanism. This allows the system to maintain precise positioning without requiring large space or complex external connections.
2Reliability
If patient fixation apparatus is directly coupled to instrumentation, then movement between patient and instrumentation is minimized, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the patient fixation device, the coupling device, and the robot arm. The coupling device is further segmented into a first interface for robot arm connection and a second interface for patient fixation device connection. This segmentation maintains stability while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
3Manufacturing precision
If robot base is fixed to surface, then positioning precision is improved, but adaptability and ease of repositioning decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates dynamic elements including pivot joints and locking mechanisms that allow the system to transition between fixed and movable states. During positioning, the coupling device allows adjustment; once positioned, it locks to maintain precision. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between fixed positioning and repositioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device changes its mechanical parameters (rigidity, degrees of freedom) based on operational requirements. It transitions from a flexible state during positioning to a rigid fixed state during surgery, and can be repositioned by changing back to the flexible state. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient stabilization system includes a stabilization base and a plurality of wheels mounted to the stabilization base. The plurality of wheels is configured to move the stabilization base along a surface. The patient stabilization system also includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively restrain movement of the stabilization base with respect to the surface, a column portion extending upwards from the stabilization base, and at least one arm. A proximal portion of the at least one arm is coupled to the column portion. Further, the patient stabilization system includes an adaptor coupled to a distal portion of the at least one arm. The adaptor is configured to couple to a patient fixation apparatus secured to an anatomical feature of a patient, and the patient stabilization system is configured to anchor the patient fixation apparatus to the surface in a secured state.