Synchronized Robotic Bone Milling With Nerve Protection Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic spinal surgery systems lack the necessary integration, control accuracy, and safety measures for precise bone milling procedures, particularly in spinal decompression, due to separate robotic arms and remote control units, leading to potential damage to delicate nerve and spinal cord structures.

Innovation Solution

A centrally coordinated, synchronized robotic system with multiple robotic arms, each holding a milling tool, protective tool, and navigation camera, controlled by a single mobile chassis, utilizing miniature markers and sensors for precise navigation and real-time feedback to ensure safe and accurate bone milling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple robotic arms are deployed on separate carts with remote control units, then the system can perform spinal surgery procedures, but the control accuracy and coordination between arms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure capabilityVSAvoidcontrol accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple robotic arms onto a single mobile platform with a unified control system, replacing the traditional separate cart and remote control unit configuration. This merging enables centralized real-time coordination of multiple arms while maintaining surgical versatility, directly resolving the contradiction between system adaptability and control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If robotic arms are teleoperated with separate control units, then the system can be operated flexibly, but the synchronization and coordination between multiple arms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a centralized control system with real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust the positions and movements of all robotic arms. This feedback loop ensures precise synchronization and coordination while maintaining operational flexibility through the unified control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple robotic arms are used for bone milling, then the surgical capabilities are enhanced, but the risk of damage to nerves and spinal cord increases due to lack of coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical capabilityVSAvoidrisk of nerve damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple robotic arms under a single coordinated control system that enables real-time synchronization of their movements. This centralized coordination allows the system to perform complex surgical capabilities while maintaining precise control to prevent harmful effects on nerves and spinal cord structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified control system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's commands and the multiple robotic arms, coordinating their movements to ensure safe operation near sensitive anatomical structures while maintaining full surgical capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate robotic arms and control units are used, then the system can be deployed, but the footprint in the operating room becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidoperating room footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple robotic arms and their control systems into a single integrated mobile platform, dramatically reducing the operating room footprint while preserving all surgical functionalities. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate carts and control units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12508090B2Synchronized robotic bone milling

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 LEM SURGICAL AG

AI summary

Described herein are robotically coordinated systems and methods for safe and efficient spinal decompression and bone milling. In various embodiments, a robotic spinal surgery system is provided with at least three robotic arms co-located on a single mobile base wherein the movement of the robotic arms is coordinated by a central control unit on the base. The system further comprises tools for spinal decompression, elements for protection of nervous tissue and navigation cameras. The nerve protection elements are placed between bony anatomy structures and nervous structures to prevent contact of the spinal decompression tools with the nervous structures. The nerve protection elements further include safety components that can optionally close electrical circuits with the decompression tools and sense or stimulate the nervous structures. Methods of deploying the inventive system in surgery are also provided.