Remote Assistance Coordination for Robotic Procedure State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic systems, particularly in medical and surgical applications, are complex and require significant user support due to their operational complexity and the need for careful procedure planning, but existing systems lack effective methods for coordinating remote assistance efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A coordination system that includes an environment awareness engine and a support agent to process image data, determine operational states, and automatically identify and contact appropriate support personnel based on system-internal and system-external contexts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If robotic systems are made more complex to perform sophisticated tasks, then task capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system performs self-diagnosis and self-reporting of operational states through sensors and processing systems that automatically monitor system conditions and generate status reports without requiring manual inspection by operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where operational state information is automatically transmitted to remote locations, enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive control to maintain optimal performance while reducing operational burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If robotic systems operate in complex environments, then task versatility is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring operational state worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask versatilityVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting operational state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system performs multiple functions including self-diagnosis, status monitoring, environmental context analysis, and communication with remote locations through a single integrated architecture, simplifying the detection and measurement of operational states in complex environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote assistance is coordinated manually, then adaptability to different situations is improved, but loss of time worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to situationsVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures communication protocols and status reporting mechanisms before operations begin, enabling automatic and timely transmission of operational state information to remote locations without requiring ad-hoc coordination during critical situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual coordination of remote assistance is replaced with automated electronic communication systems that automatically transmit status information and coordinate support resources, reducing response time while maintaining adaptability through intelligent processing algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260031224A1Method and system for coordinating user assistance

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A medical system includes a coordination system for coordinating remote assistance for a robotic manipulation system while the robotic manipulation system is in one of multiple operational states. The coordination system includes an environment awareness engine that processes image data of the robotic manipulation system in an operating environment to determine a system-external context by detecting at least one procedure-progression indicator, and determining an estimate of an actual operational state from the multiple operational states based on the at least one procedure-progression indicator. The coordination system further includes a support agent that receives a support request from the medical system, evaluates the system-external context to identify a support person to respond to the support request by identifying the support person to respond to the support request according to the estimate of the actual operational state, and automatically contacts the support person to respond to the support request.