Robotic Saw Control for Selective Automated Bone Resection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic systems for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) require significant manual intervention, leading to increased surgical duration, risk of accidental cuts, and inefficiencies due to the need for precise bone resection and avoidance of surrounding ligaments, while existing robotic systems lack flexibility and automation in cutting processes.

Innovation Solution

A robotic surgical system with a manipulator and control system that automates the alignment, resection, and pose change of a cutting tool along predefined target planes, allowing for both manual and automated modes of operation, and includes a user interface for selective assignment of these modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a robotic system is used to assist with manual cutting actions, then alignment precision is improved, but the extent of automation remains insufficient as manual cutting actions are still required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cutting actions with an automated robotic system that performs cutting, retraction, and pose changes. The robotic arm with haptic interface substitutes the surgeon's manual operations, achieving both high precision alignment and full automation of cutting tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system performs self-alignment and self-execution of cutting tasks without requiring continuous manual intervention. The haptic interface allows the system to autonomously navigate to target planes and execute cutting actions while providing force feedback to confirm proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual cutting actions are performed, then flexibility in surgical workflow is maintained, but surgical duration increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow flexibilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system provides dynamic adaptability by allowing the surgeon to modify cutting parameters, target planes, and surgical workflow in real-time through the haptic interface, while maintaining high-speed automated execution that improves surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The haptic interface provides real-time force feedback to the surgeon during automated cutting operations, allowing for adaptive control and workflow flexibility while maintaining automated high-speed execution, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple manual actions are required for each cut (alignment, cutting, retraction, pose change), then control precision is maintained, but the complexity of operation increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting control precisionVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate manual actions (alignment, cutting, retraction, pose change) into a single automated robotic operation. The robotic system executes the complete cutting sequence as one integrated task, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precision through haptic guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system performs cutting actions continuously without interruption, eliminating the need for repeated manual repositioning and setup between cutting steps. The automated system maintains continuous control throughout the entire cutting process, improving ease of operation while preserving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If the surgical procedure duration is extended to ensure precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone resection precisionVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system replaces slow manual positioning and cutting operations with high-speed automated movements guided by haptic feedback, achieving both high bone resection precision and reduced surgical time through automated execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary alignment and positioning automatically before cutting, ensuring precision is achieved in advance. This preliminary automated positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments during the actual cutting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260090850A1Selectively Automated Robotic Surgical System

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 MAKO SURGICAL CORP

AI summary

Robotic surgical systems and computer-implemented methods for manipulating an anatomy involve a manipulator to support and move a saw tool, a user interface, and a control system. The control system associates a target plane with the anatomy and receives user selection(s) defining whether action(s) involving movement of the saw tool with respect to the target plane should be facilitated using an automated mode or a manual mode of the manipulator. The control system operates the manipulator to facilitate the action(s) in the automated mode or the manual mode as defined by the user selection(s).