Robotic Cold Atmospheric Plasma Probe for Surgical Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally-invasive surgeries, maintaining precise control over intervention devices like endoscopes and electrosurgical tools is challenging due to the surgeon's occupied hands, requiring an assistant, and existing robotic systems lack efficient control over cold atmospheric plasma treatment for precise tissue interaction.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with a quick attachable connection for a cold atmospheric plasma probe, allowing for constant distance maintenance and computer-planned surface treatment, using a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom to apply controlled cold plasma to defined tissue areas, integrated with voice commands and sensors for precise movement and treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a robotic system is used to control intervention devices, then surgical precision and control are improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into separate functional modules: a robotic arm for positioning, a separate cold atmospheric plasma probe, and an integrated control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision without requiring complete robotic automation of all surgical tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm is designed with multiple degrees of freedom to perform various surgical tasks including positioning the endoscope and deploying the cold atmospheric plasma probe. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized robotic systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intervention devices are used simultaneously, then surgical capability is improved, but the need for additional assistants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple intervention capabilities into a single robotic platform that can handle both the endoscope and cold atmospheric plasma probe. The robotic arm integrates functions previously requiring separate assistants, allowing coordinated manipulation of multiple devices through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system autonomously manages the positioning and coordination of multiple intervention devices without requiring manual assistance. The integrated control system automatically coordinates the endoscope and plasma probe operations, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring additional human operators.
3Ease of operation
If cold atmospheric plasma treatment is applied manually, then treatment flexibility is maintained, but treatment precision and dosage control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system incorporates sensors and control algorithms that provide real-time feedback on probe positioning, treatment area coverage, and plasma delivery parameters. This feedback loop enables precise control of plasma dosage while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable treatment protocols and adaptive adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows pre-programming of treatment parameters, probe trajectories, and dosage specifications before the actual treatment. This preliminary configuration ensures precise dosage control is built into the treatment plan, while flexibility is maintained through the ability to adjust parameters before execution.
4Measurement precision
If robotic automation is implemented for cold plasma treatment, then treatment precision is improved, but ease of operation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system provides dynamic control capabilities that adapt to different surgical scenarios and surgeon preferences. The control interface allows real-time adjustment of automation levels, enabling surgeons to switch between fully automated precise delivery and more manual flexible control as needed, thereby maintaining both precision and ease of operation.
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 precise and automated cold plasma cancer treatment with enhanced control over treatment area, time, and distance, reducing the need for assistants and improving surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A robotic system with a quick attachable connection for a cold atmospheric plasma probe, allowing for constant distance maintenance and computer-planned surface treatment, using a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom to apply controlled cold plasma to defined tissue areas
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method in accordance with the present invention controls the dosage of cold plasma generated multi-species delivered to a patient, the distance of the CAP probe should keep constant around 1.5-2.5 mm as well as the treating time and treating area should be controlled during the procedure. The robotic system will have a quick attachable connection to the CAP probe and the robotic system will keep the constant distance from CAP tip's end to patient body, at same time provide surface scan with computer planned controllable surface treatment area, treating time and step distance between two return scans.