Percutaneous Spinal Surgery Guidance for Precise Screw Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic surgical systems for spinal surgeries are hindered by high costs, complex preoperative planning, intrusive design, non-intuitive operation, and vulnerability to malfunctions, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in precision drilling and screw placement, particularly due to constrained access and the need for extensive training.
Innovation Solution
A portable robotic surgical system with a minimally invasive percutaneous technique using a robotic arm with a force sensor and end effector for precise positioning of surgical tools, allowing for real-time trajectory adjustment and guidance, reducing the need for extensive training and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used for spinal surgeries, then surgical precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex robotic mechanical systems with a simplified handheld haptic device that provides force feedback. The robotic arm and complex positioning mechanisms are substituted with a direct manual interface where the surgeon holds the surgical guide, eliminating the need for extensive robotic infrastructure while maintaining precision through haptic guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of robotic precision (trajectory guidance) from the complex robotic system and implements it through a standalone haptic device. The surgical guide is separated from the robotic arm, allowing the surgeon to manually position it while receiving force feedback, thus removing the dependency on complex robotic positioning systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used for spinal surgeries, then surgical precision is improved, but operation time and preparation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preoperative surgical planning and trajectory calculation before the surgery, allowing the surgical guide to be pre-configured with the optimal drill path. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative adjustments and robotic positioning, as the guide is ready to use immediately upon insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical guide automatically maintains the pre-planned trajectory without requiring continuous robotic control or adjustment. Once positioned, the guide self-maintains its orientation and position through its mechanical design, eliminating the need for ongoing robotic system intervention and reducing operation time.
3Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used for spinal surgeries, then surgical precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to non-intuitive control
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide is designed to be intuitively operated by simply inserting and positioning it, without requiring complex robotic control interfaces. The haptic feedback provides natural force resistance that guides the surgeon's hand movements, making the operation as intuitive as manual surgery while maintaining robotic-level precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the non-intuitive robotic control interface with a direct manual interface where the surgeon physically holds and positions the surgical guide. The robotic precision is achieved through haptic feedback forces rather than electronic control signals, making the system as intuitive as traditional manual surgery.
4Manufacturing precision
If robotic surgical systems are used for spinal surgeries, then surgical precision is improved, but obstruction in operating room increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the precision guidance function from the large robotic arm and implements it in a compact handheld surgical guide. This eliminates the need for a large stationary robotic system in the operating room, reducing obstruction while maintaining the ability to provide precise trajectory guidance through haptic feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the large robotic arm with a compact haptic device that fits in the surgeon's hand. The robotic positioning function is substituted with haptic force feedback that guides the surgeon's manual movements, eliminating the space requirements of a large robotic system while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during surgery, particularly spinal surgery, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Several minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgeries were conceived, percutaneous technique being one of them. This procedures looks to establish a skin opening as small as possible by accessing inner organs via needle-puncture of the skin. The percutaneous technique is used in conjunction with a robotic surgical system to further enhance advantages of manual percutaneous techniques by improving precision, usability and/or shortening surgery time by removal of redundant steps.