Radio Localization for Surgical Robot Cart Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical robotic systems face challenges in tracking and managing the location and usage of multiple robotic arms and mobile carts within a surgical environment, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased recovery times for patients.
Innovation Solution
A radio-based localization and data exchange system that includes a mobile cart with a radio transmitter and receiver, processor, and memory, allowing for communication and localization data to determine the destination of the cart based on surgical procedures, patient type, surgical table configuration, and power levels, enabling autonomous movement to charging or servicing stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking and management of robotic arms and mobile carts is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to difficulty in tracking location and usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking and management mechanisms with an automated radio-based localization system. Radio transmitters embedded in mobile carts and robotic arms communicate their positions to receivers, eliminating the need for manual tracking while significantly improving system efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile carts and robotic arms autonomously report their own location and status information through embedded radio transmitters. The system automatically tracks usage patterns, battery levels, and maintenance needs without requiring external manual monitoring, enabling self-service operation and management.
2Productivity
If automated radio-based localization system is implemented, then productivity and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases due to additional transmitters, receivers, and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The radio transmitters in mobile carts serve multiple functions: they provide localization data, transmit battery status information, report maintenance needs, and enable communication with the central system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each tracking purpose, thereby managing complexity while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines localization, status monitoring, and communication functions into a single integrated radio-based system. By merging these functions into one unified architecture rather than using separate systems, the overall complexity is managed more effectively while achieving high tracking and management efficiency.
3Loss of time
If real-time localization and monitoring is implemented, then loss of time is reduced through quick location identification, but use of energy increases due to continuous radio transmission and processing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the radio transmitters in mobile carts operate periodically or on-demand. The system can be configured to transmit location and status information at intervals or when specific events occur (e.g., when battery needs charging or maintenance is required), reducing energy consumption while still providing timely information for quick location identification and management.
Data Source
AI summary
A position and tracking system for radio-based localization and data exchange includes a radio receiver, a mobile cart, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The mobile cart includes a robotic arm and a radio transmitter in operable communication with the radio receiver. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive, from the radio transmitter, a signal including communication data and localization data of the mobile cart in a 3D space, determine a destination for the mobile cart based on the communication data in the received signal, and cause the mobile cart to move to the destination determined.