Robot-Guided Splint Marker with Integrated Retraction and Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical robotic systems face inefficiencies due to separators or retractors hampering accessibility of fiducial markers, requiring separate positioning after forming the marker with the patient's body, which disrupts the surgical workflow.
Innovation Solution
A splint device with integrated retractors and spacers that are moveably coupled to a splint body, allowing adjustable separation and retraction of objects within a pliable housing, and incorporating an attachment point for tracking devices, enabling simultaneous fiducial marker accessibility and robotic guidance without additional repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separators or retractors are used to access the surgical site, then the surgical access is improved, but the accessibility of the fiducial marker is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor and fiducial marker are merged into a single integrated device. The fiducial marker is incorporated into the retractor structure itself, eliminating the need for separate positioning operations. This allows the surgical site to be accessed while the fiducial marker remains accessible for robotic guidance system tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor serves multiple functions: it provides surgical access by retracting tissues and simultaneously houses or displays the fiducial marker for robotic guidance. This multi-functional design eliminates the conflict between surgical access and marker accessibility.
2Measurement precision
If separators and retractors are positioned separately after forming the fiducial marker, then the fiducial marker is properly established, but the surgical workflow efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fiducial marker is pre-integrated into the retractor structure before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate positioning steps after marker formation, allowing both marker establishment and surgical access to occur simultaneously, thereby improving workflow efficiency without compromising precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for fiducial marking and retraction, then the functions are specialized, but the device complexity and number of positioning steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (fiducial marking and retraction) are combined into a single integrated device. The retractor incorporates the fiducial marker within its structure, reducing the number of separate devices from two to one, and consequently reducing the number of positioning steps required during the surgical procedure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A splint device (100) co-operable with a guidance system of a robot is provided. In some aspects, a splint body (200) is fixedly coupled to a first object (102) disposed within a pliable housing (104) defining an opening. The splint body includes a laterally-extending medial portion (202) having opposed lateral sides (204, 206), and first and second stabilizing portions (208, 210) extending therefrom and extending about and affixed to the first object. In some aspects, the splint body includes a retractor (300) having a first portion (302) coupled to the splint body, and a second portion (304) extending away from the splint body and engaging the pliable housing about the opening to retract and maintain the pliable housing away from the first object, such that the first object is accessible through the opening, and/or a spacer (400) engaged with the splint body and cooperating with the splint body to separate a second object (106) from the first object within the pliable housing.