Flexible Coupling Linkage for Robotic Airway Device Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In robotic medical procedures, unexpected patient motion can cause airway management devices to become displaced from the patient airway, leading to potential loss of mechanical ventilation and damage to the trachea, as these devices are fixed relative to the robotic system.
Innovation Solution
A flexible connection mechanism is introduced between the robotic medical system and airway management devices, allowing for movement in various degrees of freedom to accommodate patient motion, with decoupling mechanisms activated when necessary to ensure patient safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If airway management devices are fixed relative to the robotic system, then the robotic procedure can be performed with stable positioning, but unexpected patient motion can cause the device to become displaced from the patient airway
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the robotic system and airway management device is changed from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The flexible cable allows the distal end to move relative to the proximal end in multiple degrees of freedom, enabling the system to adapt to unexpected patient motion while maintaining stable positioning during normal procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the connection are changed by introducing a flexible cable with specific mechanical characteristics. The cable's flexibility allows it to accommodate patient motion by deforming elastically, changing the connection's ability to transmit and resist forces while maintaining device stability.
2Reliability
If a flexible connection is introduced to accommodate patient motion, then device displacement can be prevented, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cable is used as the connection medium between the robotic system and airway management device. This flexible element provides the necessary degrees of freedom to accommodate patient motion while maintaining a relatively simple overall connection structure compared to complex mechanical joints or multiple rigid linkages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible connection allows movement in various degrees of freedom, then patient motion can be accommodated, but control of the airway management device becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable acts as an intermediary element that transmits control forces from the proximal end to the distal end while allowing relative movement. This mediator enables the operator to control the airway management device despite the flexible connection, as forces applied at the proximal end are transmitted through the cable to affect the distal end's position and orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for movably coupling a robotic medical instrument system to an anatomic orifice device is provided. The apparatus comprises a first end portion configured to connect to the robotic medical instrument system. The apparatus further comprises a second end portion configured to connect to the anatomic orifice device. The apparatus further comprises a medial portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The medial portion comprises a plurality of linkages. A first end of each linkage is coupled to the first end portion of the apparatus, and a second end of each linkage is coupled to the second end portion of the apparatus.