Robotic Arm Coupling With Retractable Shutter for Clean Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collaborative surgical robots are limited to specific surgical procedures, necessitating multiple robots for diverse surgeries, and there is a need for a system that allows quick and easy interchangeability of end-effectors for a single robotic arm to perform various surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A connecting piece with a retractable device and bayonet-type connection for detachable engagement of end-effectors to a robotic arm, featuring electrical contacts, a locking mechanism, and a safety device to ensure secure engagement and disengagement, facilitating easy cleaning and enabling multiple surgical procedures with a single robotic arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed robotic arm is designed for a specific surgical procedure, then the surgical precision and reliability are improved, but the adaptability to perform different surgeries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is designed with a universal connecting piece that can interface with multiple types of end-effectors, allowing a single robotic arm to perform various surgical procedures. The standardized coupling mechanism enables the system to adapt to different surgical needs while maintaining the precision and reliability of the robotic arm itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robotic arms are used to perform different surgeries, then the adaptability to various surgical procedures is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying multiple specialized robotic arms, the invention uses a single robotic arm equipped with a universal connecting piece that can accommodate different end-effectors. This approach reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to perform various surgical procedures through end-effector interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a fixed robotic arm component and interchangeable end-effector components. This segmentation allows the robotic arm to remain a single, manageable unit while the functionality is expanded through modular end-effectors that can be attached and detached as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If end-effectors are frequently detached and reattached, then the adaptability to perform different surgeries is improved, but the risk of contamination and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable device extracts and covers the internal coupling surfaces of the connecting piece when not in use. This extraction and coverage mechanism protects the internal surfaces from contamination during storage and transport, reducing the risk of contamination when end-effectors are frequently detached and reattached.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable device is designed to automatically cover the coupling surfaces before the connecting piece is detached from an end-effector. This preliminary protective action prevents contamination from occurring in the first place, making the cleaning process simpler and reducing the risk of contamination during frequent interchange operations.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the coupling surfaces are exposed during storage, then the ease of inspection is improved, but the contamination risk and cleaning complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable device extracts and covers the coupling surfaces during storage, protecting them from contamination. The design allows for easy visual inspection of the external portions of the connecting piece while keeping the internal coupling surfaces protected, thus maintaining inspection capability without exposing contamination-prone areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables versatile surgical operations by allowing easy and secure attachment/detachment of different end-effectors to a robotic arm, ensuring electrical connectivity, and enhancing system hygiene through retractable design for easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the first part comprises a retractable device configured to shutter the female coupling element when the first part and the second part are disengaged
Implementation Method 2
the first part comprises an elastic element configured to return the retractable device to its initial position
Implementation Method 3
the connecting piece comprises a locking device configured to prevent disengagement of the first part with respect to the second part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns a connecting piece (200) for connecting an end-effector with a robotic arm, the connecting piece (200) comprising at least a first part (210) configured to detachably engage with a second part (220), one of the first part (210) and the second part (220) being attached to the robotic arm and the other of the first part (210) and the second part (220) being attached to the end-effector, the first part (210) comprising a female coupling element and the second part (220) comprising a male coupling element, the connecting piece (200) being configured to connect electrically and mechanically the end-effector to the robotic arm, wherein the first part (210) comprises a retractable device (230) configured to shutter the female coupling element when the first part (210) and the second part (220) are disengaged.