Robotic Surgical Drape Sleeves for Sterile Arm Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic surgical systems face challenges in maintaining sterility during procedures due to the complexity of draping robotic arms and adjustable arm supports, which can lead to contamination risks and operational difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A drape system comprising tubular sleeves and a drape assembly designed to cover robotic arms and adjustable arm supports, utilizing a telescoping fold pattern and elastic members to maintain sterility and accommodate the motion of robotic arms, ensuring seamless draping without contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional draping methods are used for robotic arms and adjustable arm supports, then the complexity of the draping process increases, but sterility maintenance becomes more reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoiddraping process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drape system is divided into multiple tubular sleeves, each designed to cover specific robotic arms or arm supports. This segmentation allows each sleeve to be independently draped and secured, simplifying the overall draping process while maintaining sterility across all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular sleeves are designed to be draped over robotic arms that are already positioned within the sterile field. The sleeves nest around the arms and supports, creating a layered protective structure that maintains sterility without requiring complex external draping procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If fixed draping structures are used, then the sterility barrier is more stable, but the accommodation of robotic arm motion becomes restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility barrier stabilityVSAvoidrobotic arm motion accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular sleeves are designed with flexible materials and structures that can dynamically adapt to the motion of robotic arms during surgical procedures. The sleeves maintain their sterility barrier function while accommodating the dynamic range of motion required for robotic arm operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The draping system utilizes flexible tubular sleeves that can bend and move with the robotic arms while maintaining the sterility barrier. These flexible structures provide both stability for contamination prevention and adaptability for motion accommodation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If simplified draping methods are used, then the draping process becomes easier, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedraping process easeVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular sleeves are pre-packaged in sterile condition and designed for straightforward donning over the robotic arms. The preliminary preparation of the sleeves ensures that sterility is established before contact with non-sterile components, reducing contamination risk while simplifying the draping process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular sleeves act as intermediary barriers between the non-sterile robotic arm components and the sterile surgical field. This intermediate protective layer simplifies the draping process by providing a clear sterility boundary while minimizing direct handling and contamination risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The drape system effectively maintains sterility during surgical procedures by controlling the drape's movement over robotic arms and supports, preventing contamination and simplifying the draping process, thus ensuring the integrity of the sterile field.

Implementation Method 1

a drape portion configured to cover the adjustable arm support... an elastic member... The elastic member can be inserted into a hem of the drape portion configured to cover the adjustable arm support. The elastic member can gather the drape portion and keep the drape portion in position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12357409B2Systems and methods for draping a surgical system

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 AURIS HEALTH INC

AI summary

Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for a drape for covering an adjustable arm support of a robotic surgical system. In one aspect, the drape includes a drape portion configured to extend over the adjustable arm support. The drape may include at least two tubular sleeves configured to surround the at least two robotic arms. The at least two robotic arms can be slidable relative to each other along the adjustable arm support. The drape portion can cover an area between the at least two tubular sleeves.