Replaceable End-Effector Cartridge for Robotic Surgical Wrist
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Solution Overview
Problem
High maintenance and replacement costs of automated surgical equipment, such as robotic surgical instruments, limit their attractiveness for widespread hospital use due to the need for frequent repairs and replacements of expensive components.
Innovation Solution
The development of robotic surgical systems with replaceable electrosurgical end effectors, such as disposable cartridges for tools like scissors, that can be easily cleaned and replaced, reducing the need for costly repairs and extending the life of the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated surgical equipment is used, then surgical precision and automation are improved, but maintenance and replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into a reusable handle assembly and a disposable cartridge containing the end effector. This segmentation allows the expensive automated components (handle, control systems) to be reused while only the consumable portion (cartridge with blades/scissors) is replaced, thereby maintaining automation while reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge containing the end effector is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after a single use or limited number of uses. This eliminates the need for costly repair and sterilization of the entire automated instrument, while preserving the automation benefits of the reusable handle assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expensive automated surgical equipment is used, then surgical capability is improved, but frequency of use decreases due to cost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the instrument into reusable and disposable portions, hospitals can afford to use automated surgical equipment more frequently since only the inexpensive cartridge needs replacement, not the entire expensive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cartridge design reduces the financial barrier to frequent use of automated surgical equipment, allowing hospitals to utilize advanced surgical capabilities more often without bearing the full cost of equipment replacement.
3Reliability
If end effectors are replaced frequently, then surgical performance is maintained, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into a reusable handle and a disposable cartridge, simplifying the replacement process. The standardized interface between handle and cartridge reduces the complexity of frequent replacements compared to repairing or sterilizing entire complex instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge is provided to couple to a mechanical wrist of a surgical instrument for a robotic surgical system. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge includes two end effectors, a fastener to rotatably couple the two end effectors together, and a cam mechanism. At least one of the two end effectors is a moveable end effector having a jaw portion, an off-center portion, and a base portion. The cam mechanism is coupled to the base portion of the at least one moveable end effector to pivot it about the fastener to open and close the jaw portion of the at least one moveable end effector with respect to the other.