Surgical Robot Splint with Kinematic Tracking and Removable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing splint devices for surgical robots, particularly in dental surgery, face challenges in achieving a balance between rigidity and removability, adhesive application issues, and the need for a universal fit across various patients, while ensuring repeatable and secure tracking of fiducial markers.
Innovation Solution
A splint device comprising elongate first and second splint portions with complementary interface edges, alignment elements, and a threaded member to maintain a consistent gap, along with a tracking portion and kinematic mount, allowing for secure attachment and easy removal using impression material without excessive adhesive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If excessive adhesive material is applied to the retainer portion, then the splint device becomes more securely attached to the teeth, but the retainer portion becomes difficult to remove and may require drilling into solidified adhesive material
Solution Approach 1:
The splint device is divided into a retainer portion and a mounting portion that can be separated. The retainer portion is designed to be removable from the teeth, while the mounting portion remains attached to the fiducial marker, allowing the device to be partially removed without drilling into solidified adhesive material.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive material is applied locally at the interface between the retainer portion and the teeth, rather than throughout the entire splint device. This localized application allows for secure attachment where needed while maintaining ease of removal at other interfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the retainer portion is made as rigid as possible, then the structure provides better stability during the surgical procedure, but the device becomes less adaptable to different patient populations
Solution Approach 1:
The splint device is segmented into a retainer portion that contacts the teeth and a mounting portion that holds the fiducial marker. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the retainer portion can be designed for adaptability to different patients while the mounting portion maintains structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting portion is designed with universal features that allow it to be used across different patient populations. The kinematic mount and attachment mechanisms are standardized to provide consistent performance regardless of patient anatomy, while the retainer portion can be adjusted to fit individual patients.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are included in the splint device, then the device becomes more adaptable and easier to remove, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer portion and mounting portion are designed to work together as an integrated system with complementary interface edges that align and engage. While the device can be separated into two main portions, they are engineered to function as a unified structure during the surgical procedure, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A splint device (100) for robotically-guided surgery includes elongate first and second splint portions (200, 400) each having opposed longitudinal ends and an interface edge extending between the ends, wherein the respective interface edges (250, 450) are arranged as a complement to each other. First and second alignment elements (800A, 800B) engaged with the first and second splint portions are arranged to interact with each other such that a substantially consistent gap is defined between the first and second interface edges, from the first ends to the second ends of the first and second splint portions. A threaded member (900) is engaged between the first and second splint portions and arranged to advance the first and second interface edges toward each other in response to advancement of the threaded member. A tracking portion (1000) having a kinematic mount (1100) engaged therewith is engaged with the first or second splint portion and extends outwardly therefrom. An associated method is also provided.