Surgical Robot Daisy-Chain Power Layout for Flexible Cart Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical robotic systems face challenges in minimizing power cord lengths and enhancing flexibility in positioning components within the operating room.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robotic system with a daisy chain arrangement of electrical connections between a control tower, surgeon console, and multiple movable carts, utilizing a power supply system with uninterruptible power supplies and regulated DC outputs, allowing for flexible component positioning and reduced cable lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional power cord connections are used for each component, then each component can be independently powered, but the total cable length increases and positioning flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is segmented into modular units where each movable cart contains its own power supply and distribution electronics. This allows each cart to be independently powered without requiring long external power cords, enabling flexible repositioning while maintaining adequate power delivery to all components.
Solution Approach 2:
Movable carts serve as intermediary units between the power source and the robotic components. Each cart houses power supply and distribution electronics that mediate power delivery to multiple robotic arms and instruments, eliminating the need for long external power cords and enabling flexible positioning.
2Reliability
If multiple separate power connections are used for control tower, surgeon console, and movable carts, then each component receives dedicated power, but the system complexity and cable management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply and distribution functions are merged into integrated units within each movable cart. Each cart contains its own power supply, distribution electronics, and control tower connections, consolidating multiple separate power connections into unified modular units that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining reliable power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carts are designed as universal platforms that can serve multiple functions: housing robotic arms, providing power distribution, and acting as control interfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power connections for each function, reducing electrical connection complexity while maintaining system reliability.
3Ease of operation
If fixed power cord lengths are used, then cable management is simpler, but the ability to reposition components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system transitions from static fixed-length cords to dynamic reconfigurable connections. Each movable cart with integrated power supply can be dynamically repositioned without cable constraints, as the power delivery is handled through modular electronic connections rather than fixed physical cords, enabling flexible component arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply function is extracted from the fixed infrastructure and embedded within each movable cart. This extraction eliminates the dependency on long external power cords, allowing carts to be freely repositioned while maintaining power delivery through the integrated power supply system, thus simplifying cable management.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical robotic system includes a first robotic arm, a second robotic arm, a control tower, and a surgeon console. The first robotic arm is engaged with a first movable cart. The second robotic arm is engaged with a second movable cart. The control tower is configured to control movement of the first robotic arm. The surgeon console is configured to provide instructions to the control tower. The control tower is electrically coupled to the surgeon console via a first cable. The surgeon console is electrically coupled to the first movable cart via a second cable.