Modular Robotic Surgical Arms for Small-Incision Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical technologies, such as laparoscopy and robotic systems like the da Vinci Surgical System, face limitations due to mobility restrictions, limited visual feedback, and high costs, making them inefficient and inaccessible in many medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A robotic surgical system with modular, minimally invasive devices that provide enhanced mobility and visual feedback, featuring rotatable joints and interchangeable components, allowing for precise control and reduced incision size, while maintaining sufficient insufflation and minimizing physical contact during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If rigid tools are inserted through access ports for minimally invasive surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed with smaller incisions, but mobility restrictions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic surgical system employs dynamically movable arms with multiple degrees of freedom that can rotate and articulate within the body cavity. The arms transition from rigid insertion through ports to flexible, multi-axis movement once positioned, enabling complex surgical maneuvers while maintaining small incision access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system adds dimensional freedom by positioning arms at different orientations and angles within the body cavity. Multiple arms can operate from different access ports simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional workspace that overcomes the linear mobility constraints of traditional rigid tools.
2Reliability
If robotic systems are made larger and more capable, then sensory and mobility capabilities improve, but the systems become very expensive and unavailable in most hospitals
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic surgical system is divided into modular components including separate robotic arms, control systems, and surgical tools that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified design of individual components, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive surgical capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arms are designed with universal, multi-functional capabilities to perform various surgical tasks including cutting, grasping, and suturing. The system can accommodate different surgical instruments and adapt to various procedural requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized robotic systems and reducing overall cost.
3Measurement precision
If more visual feedback is provided during surgery, then surgical precision improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system incorporates visual feedback mechanisms including cameras and sensors that provide real-time imaging of the surgical field. This feedback is integrated into the control system to enable precise positioning and manipulation of surgical tools while maintaining a manageable level of system complexity through efficient signal processing and display integration.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various modular medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.