Fingered RFID Shield for Surgical Arm Coupling Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical robotic systems face challenges in maintaining sterile barriers while transmitting wired communication signals between surgical instruments and robotic arms, and capacitive coupling issues arise when using wireless communication, leading to instrument inoperability.

Innovation Solution

A shield with a plurality of fingers and a connector is positioned between the surgical instrument and the receiver, configured to attenuate electric fields and reduce capacitive coupling by dissipating charges to ground, allowing radio frequency signals to pass through while preventing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used between surgical instrument and robotic arm, then reliable communication is achieved, but maintaining sterile barrier becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based communication system. The surgical instrument and robotic arm communicate via RFID or similar wireless technology, eliminating the need for physical connectors and wiring that would complicate the sterile barrier interface. This substitution maintains communication reliability while simplifying the mechanical interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If wireless communication is used between surgical instrument and robotic arm, then interface complexity is reduced, but capacitive coupling interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface complexityVSAvoidcapacitive coupling interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shield as an intermediary component positioned between the surgical instrument and robotic arm. This shield acts as a mediator that allows wireless electromagnetic signals to pass through while blocking capacitive coupling interference. The shield serves as a selective filter that permits desired communication frequencies while attenuating harmful capacitive coupling effects, thus resolving the interference issue without sacrificing the simplicity of wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shield is added to block capacitive coupling, then interference is reduced, but electric field transmission is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitive coupling interferenceVSAvoidwireless signal transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing the shield with specific geometric characteristics (fingers with particular dimensions and spacing) that create different electromagnetic properties in different regions. The shield's structure is optimized to have high attenuation for capacitive coupling frequencies while maintaining transmission for wireless communication frequencies. This localized geometric design allows the same shield structure to selectively pass desired signals while blocking harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the shield's physical parameters (finger width, spacing, length, and material properties) to achieve frequency-selective transmission. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the shield creates resonance conditions that allow wireless communication signals to pass while creating blocking conditions for capacitive coupling frequencies. This parameter optimization enables the shield to differentiate between useful and harmful electromagnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The shield effectively reduces capacitive coupling and electric field interference, ensuring reliable wireless communication between surgical instruments and robotic arms, maintaining instrument functionality and system integrity.

Implementation Method 1

capacitive coupling issues arise when using wireless communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the shape, dimensions and arrangement of the fingers causes attenuation of the transmission of electric fields through the shield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field attenuation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

a connector being in contact with each of the fingers, wherein the shield is configured so that when the connector is electrically connected to ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge dissipation: Earthing

Data Source

PatentUS12496150B2RFID shield

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 CMR SURGICAL LTD

AI summary

A robotic surgical arm including a receiver configured to receive wireless communications from a robotic surgical instrument attached to the robotic surgical arm and a shield including a plurality of fingers each having a common shape and a connector being in contact with each of the fingers. When the connector is electrically connected to ground, the shape, dimensions and arrangement of the fingers causes attenuation of the transmission of electric fields through the shield.