Ring-Handle Instrument Opening With Swivel Clamping Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of sterile containers and medical instruments in medical device reprocessing units is strenuous and detrimental to health, and existing automated systems face limitations in instrument separation and handling, particularly for instruments with ring handles.
Innovation Solution
An automated opening system with swivel clamping devices and a gripping system using a 6-DOF articulated robot arm and object recognition to handle and open medical instruments with ring handles, setting them to optimal angles for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of sterile containers and medical instruments is performed, then staff can directly control the process, but staff health is deteriorated and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the opening system automatically detects, grasps, opens, and positions medical instruments without human intervention. The robot arm autonomously navigates to instruments, the opening system automatically actuates locking mechanisms, and the system self-regulates the entire workflow from contaminated to clean sides, eliminating manual labor while maintaining process control
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling operations are replaced by an automated robotic system combining computer vision, robotic manipulation, and automated opening mechanisms. The system substitutes human operators with automated machinery that uses sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to perform all handling tasks, thereby improving productivity while eliminating health hazards associated with manual work
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing automated systems are used for instrument handling, then staff health is protected, but instrument separation and handling effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of medical instruments with different locking mechanisms. The system can grasp instruments by their handles, actuate various locking mechanisms (screws, clips, latches), and position instruments at different angles, making it adaptable to diverse instrument types while maintaining high processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The opening system acts as an intermediary between the robot arm and the medical instruments. It receives instruments from the robot arm, performs the opening operation using specialized actuating mechanisms, and returns opened instruments to the robot arm for further processing. This intermediary function enables efficient instrument separation and handling while protecting staff from direct exposure
3Ease of manufacture
If medical instruments are not opened to specific angles, then handling is simpler, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system dynamically adjusts instrument opening angles based on the specific instrument type and cleaning requirements. Rather than using a fixed angle, the system can vary the opening angle to optimize both handling ease and cleaning effectiveness for different instruments, adapting the positioning dynamically to achieve the best results
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
Enables fully automated handling of medical instruments from contaminated to clean sides, relieving staff and ensuring efficient processing, including opening and unlocking instruments to specified angles for cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The swivel clamping cylinder can enable the swiveling and movement of the clamping element towards the base and in the opposite direction, based on pneumatic or hydraulic principles.
Data Source
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AI summary
Opening system (1) for opening and/or unlocking a medical, in particular surgical, instrument (38) with ring handles, comprising: - a base (2); - two axes (3, 5) arranged on the base (2) and movable relative to each other by means of an actuator (12), each axes being arranged on flat base elements (9a, 9b) which have a different distance to the base; - two pivot clamping devices (13a, 13b), each comprising a clamping element (8a, 8b) for clamping a ring handle threaded onto an axis (3, 5) with the base element (9a, 9b).