Surgical Robot Arm Interface Assembly for Sterile Instrument Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical robotic systems face challenges in quickly and easily exchanging instruments during operations while maintaining a sterile environment, as the robot arm is not sterilized and direct contact could contaminate the operating area.
Innovation Solution
An interface assembly with a locking element that securely attaches a surgical instrument to a surgical robot arm, ensuring a sterile barrier is maintained by using a moveable locking mechanism and fasteners that engage with the robot arm, allowing for quick and sterile instrument exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If instruments are detached and reattached to the robot arm during surgery, then instrument versatility is improved, but the risk of contamination increases due to breaking the sterile barrier
Solution Approach 1:
A sterile adapter or interface component is introduced as an intermediary between the non-sterile robot arm and the sterile surgical instrument. This adapter remains attached to the robot arm and provides a sterile interface that allows instrument changes without breaking the sterile field, as instruments can be attached/detached to this intermediate sterile component without direct exposure of the robot arm to the sterile environment.
2Productivity
If instruments are quickly exchanged during surgery, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of maintaining sterile barriers worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into multiple independent components: a sterile adapter attached to the robot arm, fastening mechanisms for securing instruments, and release mechanisms for quick detachment. This segmentation allows the sterile adapter to remain fixed on the robot arm while instruments are rapidly exchanged through simple fasten/unfasten actions, reducing the complexity of maintaining sterile barriers during quick exchanges.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is used to attach instruments to the robot arm, then connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for instrument exchange worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses dynamic elements such as spring-loaded fasteners, cam-actuated locks, or shape memory materials that provide secure locking under operational loads but can be easily released with a simple triggering action. This allows the system to maintain high reliability during surgery while enabling rapid instrument exchange when needed, as the dynamic characteristics allow easy transition between locked and unlocked states.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface assembly for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface assembly comprising: an interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a rear portion attached to a rear edge of the base portion, the rear portion comprising one or more fasteners for fastening the interface structure to a proximal exposed surface of the surgical robot arm; and a locking element moveably mounted on the rear portion, the locking element moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the locking element is in the locked position the locking element biases the one or more fasteners inward and when the locking element is in the unlocked position the locking element does not bias the one or more fasteners inward.