Remote Robotic Procedure Control With Delay-Aware Safeguards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic medical procedure systems face challenges in allowing remote operation due to issues with secure network connections, transmission delays, and deadlock situations, which can affect the safety and stability of medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remotely controlling a robotic medical device system using a control center at a remote site, which involves transmitting control signals, determining transmission delays, comparing delays to threshold values, and adjusting the operation of the medical device based on these comparisons to ensure safe and stable procedure execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote control signals are transmitted over a network, then the operator can be located at a remote site, but transmission delays and network instability can affect system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a secure network connection and synchronizing clocks before the medical procedure begins. The operator is authenticated and the communication channel is tested in advance, ensuring that remote control can function reliably when needed without delays during the actual procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors network conditions and clock synchronization status, providing feedback to adjust control signal transmission. When delays are detected, the system can compensate by adjusting timing parameters or alerting the operator, maintaining reliability despite network variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control signals are transmitted remotely over a network, then operator accessibility is improved, but deadlock situations can occur affecting system stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a virtual control token that mediates between the remote operator and the local robotic system. This token acts as a mediator to coordinate control actions and prevent deadlock situations by ensuring proper sequencing of control signal transmission and execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical interlocking control mechanisms with a software-based virtual token system. This substitution allows for more flexible and deadlock-free control coordination between remote and local systems, as the virtual token can be efficiently transmitted and state changes can be rapidly communicated over the network without physical constraints.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise timing is required for control signals, then procedural accuracy is improved, but network transmission delays can compromise safety
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary clock synchronization between the remote operator's system and the local robotic system before the procedure begins. By establishing a common time reference in advance, the system ensures that control signals maintain precise timing relationships even when transmitted over the network, preventing safety issues caused by timing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors transmission delays and clock synchronization status, providing feedback to adjust timing parameters. When delays are detected, the system can compensate by adjusting the timing of control signals or alerting the operator, maintaining procedural accuracy and safety despite network variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using a control center at a remote site to control operation of a robotic medical device system at a local site includes transmitting a control signal from the control center to the robotic medical device system, determining a delay in transmission of the control signal, comparing the delay to a threshold delay value and operating the robotic medical device system based on the comparison of the delay to the threshold delay value.