Magnetic Force Transmission Across Sterile Barriers in Robotic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in maintaining sterility and preventing contamination between non-sterile and sterile sections of robotic surgery systems, particularly in transmitting force across a barrier without compromising sterility.
Innovation Solution
A robotic surgery system with a barrier separating non-sterile and sterile sections, utilizing a drive component with motors and associated drive elements, and a manipulator with driven elements that engage through the barrier, allowing for the transmission of force while maintaining sterility, using mechanisms like magnetic couplings and adjustable spacers to ensure integrity and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier is introduced to separate non-sterile and sterile sections, then sterility is maintained, but force transmission becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible barrier with integrated force transmission elements acts as an intermediary between non-sterile and sterile sections. The barrier includes drive elements on the non-sterile side and driven elements on the sterile side, with flexible coupling elements that transmit force through the barrier material itself, eliminating the need for complex penetrating mechanisms while maintaining sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical penetration through the barrier with magnetic coupling. Magnets are positioned on both sides of the barrier, creating a magnetic field that transmits rotational force without physical contact. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and contamination risks while maintaining effective force transmission.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical components are used for force transmission, then precision is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact across the barrier with magnetic coupling. Rotating magnets on the non-sterile side induce rotation in corresponding magnets on the sterile side through magnetic field interaction. This eliminates mechanical wear, friction, and contamination risks while maintaining precise rotational control and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier itself serves as the intermediary medium for force transmission. Flexible coupling elements embedded in the barrier material transmit force through the barrier structure, while magnetic fields provide contactless actuation. This intermediary approach allows precise force transmission without compromising the barrier's protective function.
3Reliability
If a continuous barrier is used to maintain sterility, then contamination is prevented, but force transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier with integrated coupling elements serves as an efficient intermediary for force transmission. The barrier material itself is designed to transmit forces while maintaining its protective function, eliminating the need for force transmission to bypass the barrier. Magnetic coupling provides additional contactless actuation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic coupling provides highly efficient contactless force transmission through the barrier. The magnetic field penetrates the barrier material with minimal energy loss, enabling precise and efficient actuation of sterile components without mechanical contact. This substitution maintains barrier integrity while maximizing transmission efficiency.
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 the effective and sterile transmission of force across the barrier, enhancing the safety and efficiency of minimally invasive surgical procedures by preventing contamination and maintaining a sterile environment.
Implementation Method 1
a drive component including at least one motor and an associated drive element for each of the at least one motor
Implementation Method 2
using mechanisms like magnetic couplings and adjustable spacers to ensure integrity and precision
Data Source
AI summary
A force transmission system as part of a surgical system which may be configured to be a minimally invasive and/or computer assisted surgical system. Operation of the system may be controlled by transmission of a force from a first section to a second section of the system. The first section and the second section may be separated by a partition or a barrier. The first section may be a non-sterile section and the second section may be a sterile section of the surgical system.