Robotic Arm Sterile Interface With Ball-Bearing Instrument Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical robots face challenges in maintaining sterility within the sterile zone due to the difficulty in sterilizing motorized joints and surgical tools, necessitating a sterile barrier that is easy, quick, and secure to assemble, while allowing connection to the robotic arm without requiring excessive human resources.

Innovation Solution

A sterile interface comprising a detachable sterile ring and instrument adaptor with locking mechanisms, ball bearings, and abutment surfaces to maintain a sterile drape between the robotic arm and surgical instrument, ensuring a secure and tool-free assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sterile drape is used to cover motorized joints and surgical tools, then sterility is maintained, but the complexity of the system increases and assembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile adapter is nested within the sterile drape, creating a integrated sterile interface assembly that simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining sterility. The adapter fits inside the drape envelope, reducing the number of separate components that need to be managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile adapter acts as an intermediary component between the non-sterile motorized end effector and the sterile surgical instrument. It provides a mechanical interface that allows power and control transmission while maintaining the sterile barrier, eliminating the need for complex sterilization of electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sterile interface with locking mechanisms is used to secure the sterile drape, then the sterility barrier is more secure, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterile barrier securityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile adapter is pre-assembled with the surgical instrument in a controlled environment before entering the sterile field. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and reduces the time required for assembly during surgery, as the interface is already prepared and tested.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism uses a simple cam-locked or bayonet-style connection rather than complex multi-step fastening systems. This mechanical substitution provides secure locking with a single motion, reducing assembly time while maintaining the security of the sterile barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple components are used to create the sterile interface, then the sterility maintenance is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile adapter combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it serves as the mechanical interface, the power transmission element, and the alignment guide. By merging these functions, the system maintains sterility through the adapter design while simplifying assembly to a single operation of attaching the pre-assembled adapter-instrument unit to the robotic arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile adapter is designed with universal compatibility features that allow it to interface with different surgical instruments and robotic arm configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed and simplifies operation, as the same adapter design can be used across various instrument types while maintaining sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The sterile interface provides a quick and secure connection that maintains sterility by preventing contamination, requiring minimal assembly time and resources, thus enhancing surgical robot usability in sterile environments.

Implementation Method 1

the instrument adaptor comprising at least one ball bearing configured to allow rotation of a shaft of the motor around a first axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4616821A1Sterile interface for a robotic arm

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 MINMAXMEDICAL

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a sterile interface (200) configured to interface an end-effector (107) of a robotic arm and a surgical instrument, the end-effector comprising a motor (109) configured to rotate the surgical instrument, the sterile interface comprising: a sterile ring (210) configured to be detachably attached to the end-effector (107) of the robotic arm, an instrument adaptor (220) configured to be detachably attached to the end-effector (107) of the robotic arm, the instrument adaptor comprising at least one ball bearing (225) configured to allow rotation of a shaft of the motor around a first axis (X), the sterile ring and the end-effector being configured to cooperate to maintain a sterile drape between the sterile ring and the end-effector, the sterile ring being further configured to prevent displacements of the instrument adaptor along the first axis (X).