Robotic Surgical Adapter Movable Engaging Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for robotic surgical systems require significant force to engage and disengage from robot arms, making easy attachment and detachment difficult.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a movable engaging portion, an urging member, and a stopper mechanism that allows for easy engagement and disengagement without the need for bending or applying force, by shifting the engaging portion between advanced and retracted positions using the urging member and maintaining the operation portion's position with the stopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch is bent and hooked on the attachment portion to fix the adapter, then the adapter can be attached to the robot arm, but significant force is required making easy attachment and detachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion is designed to be movable between a retracted position and an advanced position. During attachment, the engaging portion is in the retracted position to avoid interference. After attachment, it moves to the advanced position to engage with the robot arm, providing secure fixation without requiring bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper is used to maintain the operation portion in a specific position before attachment, ensuring the engaging portion is in the retracted position. This preliminary positioning prevents interference during the attachment process and enables easy engagement without applying significant force.
Solution Approach 3:
The adapter is divided into functional segments: the base body for structural support, the movable engaging portion for connection, the urging member for automatic engagement, the operation portion for control, and the stopper for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, contributing to easy attachment while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the engaging portion is kept in the advanced position for secure engagement, then attachment reliability is improved, but the operation portion cannot be positioned properly during attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is positioned to maintain the operation portion in a predetermined position before attachment occurs. This preliminary action ensures the engaging portion is in the retracted position, allowing proper positioning during attachment. After attachment, the stopper can be removed or disengaged, allowing the urging member to move the engaging portion to the advanced position for secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging portion transitions from a static design to a dynamic one, moving between retracted and advanced positions. During attachment, it is in the retracted position to allow operation portion positioning. After attachment, it moves to the advanced position to provide secure engagement, resolving the contradiction between positioning and engagement security.
3Reliability
If force is applied to bend the latch for engagement, then the adapter can be attached, but mechanical stress and misalignment risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion is designed to move between positions rather than being bent into place. This dynamic design eliminates the need for bending forces during attachment, reducing mechanical stress and misalignment risk while still achieving firm attachment through the advanced position engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional bending-based mechanical engagement is replaced with a sliding/moving engagement system. The urging member provides the necessary force to move the engaging portion to the advanced position without bending, substituting a more gentle mechanical action that reduces stress and misalignment risks.
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 effortless attachment and detachment of the adapter to and from the robot arm, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of mechanical stress or misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member that urges the engaging portion in a direction from the retracted position to the advanced position
Data Source
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AI summary
The adapter includes: a base body that includes a first surface attached to a robot arm, and a second surface to which a surgical instrument is attached; an engaging portion that engages with the robot arm at an advanced position corresponding to an opening of the first surface; an urging member that urges the engaging portion in a direction from a retracted position to the advanced position; an operation portion connected to the engaging portion to shift the engaging portion to the retracted position while resisting an urging force of the urging member; and a stopper that stops the operation portion to prevent a shift of the engaging portion from the retracted position to the advanced position.