Radiolucent Pneumatic Surgical Table Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical robots and surgical tables face challenges in mimicking human motion due to non-radiolucent joints and mechanical limitations, which complicate control systems and reduce accuracy, especially in medical imaging environments where metal components can interfere with diagnostic quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of radiolucent laminar sheeting and pneumatic actuation with inert medical gases, combined with non-metallic cables and solenoid manifold control, creates a system of articulating mechanisms that allow for precise, human-like motion without interfering with medical imaging, enabling remote operation within imaging environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric motors or servos with cables are used to control surgical robot joints, then the robot can achieve movement and control, but the joints become non-radiolucent and interfere with medical imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric motors and cable-driven mechanisms with pneumatic actuators (inflatable bags) that can be made radiolucent. These pneumatic elements inflate and deflate to produce motion at robot joints, eliminating metal components that interfere with medical imaging while maintaining precise control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition and physical state of actuation elements from metallic/mechanical to radiolucent pneumatic materials. By using inflatable bags made of radiolucent materials and changing their volume through inflation/deflation, the system achieves both imaging compatibility and functional control
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical joints with offset configurations are used, then the robot structure is simplified, but the robot cannot closely mimic human motion
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic actuators enable complex multi-axis joint configurations that can replicate human anatomical motion patterns. The flexible nature of inflatable bags allows for articulated joints with multiple degrees of freedom that mimic human limb movement, overcoming the limitations of rigid offset mechanical joints
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radiolucent materials and pneumatic actuators are used, then imaging compatibility is improved, but the structural strength and load-bearing capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures for the robot body and joints, combining radiolucent materials (such as carbon fiber composites, ceramics, or specialized polymers) with pneumatic actuators. This composite approach maintains structural strength and load-bearing capacity while ensuring radiolucency for imaging compatibility
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
This solution allows for precise, radiolucent articulation of surgical robots and tables that mimic human motion, improving control accuracy and minimizing interference with medical imaging, ensuring high-quality diagnostic information and safe operation within imaging environments.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical table is controlled by pneumatic bags located at the base of the surgical table and within the axil assembly.
Implementation Method 2
By using thin radiolucent laminar sheeting as the basic building blocks of the one, two, and three degrees of freedom joints and structures
Implementation Method 3
via the utilization of the most radiolucent material known, essentially invisible air and inert medical gas for pneumatic actuation, with the implementation of non-metallic cable as further means of manipulation and braking
Data Source
AI summary
A one or more radiolucent pneumatic bags that are inflated and deflated to move a surgical table top portion to place a patient in a desired orientation.