Pelvic Visceral Manipulator Interface for Robotic Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robotic surgical procedures for pelvic surgeries, such as hysterectomy, often require manual manipulation of pelvic viscera, which is inefficient, prone to miscommunication, and causes assistant fatigue and discomfort, especially when using devices placed in the pelvis that need to be manually manipulated by a clinician or assistant.

Innovation Solution

A pelvic visceral manipulator interface that securely attaches to the graspable tip of a robotic surgical system, allowing a robot arm to directly engage and manipulate pelvic organs like the uterus or colon, reducing the need for manual assistance by providing a stable and efficient means of positioning and removing organs during procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual manipulation of pelvic viscera is used during robotic surgical procedures, then the surgeon can directly control the position and orientation of organs, but assistant fatigue and miscommunication occur, reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system performs self-service by using its own third arm to manipulate pelvic viscera during surgery, eliminating the need for external manual assistance. The robot autonomously positions and orients organs while the surgeon maintains control through the robotic interface, thereby preventing assistant fatigue and miscommunication while maintaining precise manipulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single robotic arm to perform both surgical tasks and visceral manipulation tasks that traditionally required separate manual assistance. The third arm is configured to handle organ manipulation, positioning, and orientation while the surgeon controls the robotic system, consolidating multiple functions into one integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If manual manipulation of pelvic viscera is used during robotic surgical procedures, then the assistant can hold and move the manipulator assembly, but miscommunication and assistant muscle fatigue occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system implements feedback mechanisms where the surgeon directly controls the robotic arm's manipulation of pelvic viscera through the robotic interface. This closed-loop control eliminates miscommunication by providing real-time feedback between the surgeon's commands and the actual manipulation actions, ensuring reliable and accurate organ positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a robotic arm is added to manipulate pelvic viscera, then assistant fatigue is alleviated, but the robot arm must be positioned to reach upwards through the vagina

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidrobot configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system addresses the positioning challenge by utilizing the vertical dimension and the unique geometry of the patient's anatomy. The third arm is configured to approach from below and reach upwards through the vagina, utilizing the available spatial dimension to achieve organ manipulation without interfering with the primary surgical field accessed from above

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If conventional hysterectomy with large incisions is used, then direct access to the uterus is achieved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to uterusVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system replaces the conventional mechanical approach of large incisions with a minimally invasive robotic interface. The robot uses small abdominal incisions and a combination of laparoscopic instruments and vaginal manipulators to access and manipulate the uterus, thereby reducing patient trauma and recovery time while maintaining surgical accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9687275B1Method and apparatus for pelvic visceral manipulation by surgical robot

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 FENTON BRADFORD M D

AI summary

In one embodiment, a pelvic visceral manipulator interface for use by the graspable tip of a robotic surgical system is disclosed. This interface can be used with any robotic pelvic medical procedure that utilizes manipulation of the uterus, vagina and/or colon. In one embodiment an interface aligns a robotic grasper arm with a visceral (uterine or vaginal/colon) manipulator for robotic laparoscopic pelvic surgery or pelvic medical procedure. In another embodiment, a manipulator includes an integrated tip for direct connection with the graspable tip of a robotic surgical system. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical arm includes an integrated tip for direct connection with a manipulator.