Sealed Optical End-Effectors for Surgical Robot Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional end-effectors for surgical robotic systems face challenges in cleaning and sterilization without damaging internal components, including tracking markers, due to exposure to harsh conditions during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The end-effector design incorporates a sealed optical sub-assembly with a housing, a transparent window, a gasket, and a cover portion that compresses the gasket to form a seal, protecting internal components from extreme conditions during cleaning and sterilization processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the end-effector uses open optical components for tracking, then the tracking precision is maintained, but the components are damaged during cleaning and sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidoptical assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly is segmented into separate components: a housing, a transparent window, a gasket, and a cover portion. This segmentation allows the optical components to be isolated within a sealed cavity while maintaining their functional integrity, protecting them from sterilization damage without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the disposable principle to the entire end-effector assembly, which includes the sealed optical components. By designing the end-effector as a disposable unit, the optical components are protected from harsh sterilization conditions, and the entire assembly can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex reusable sterilization-resistant designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the end-effector is exposed to harsh sterilization conditions, then the surgical site is sterilized, but the internal optical components are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidoptical component integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent window and cover portion act as intermediaries between the external sterilization environment and the internal optical components. These intermediary elements allow light transmission for tracking while providing a barrier that protects the sensitive optical components from direct exposure to harsh sterilization conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the optical components are sealed to protect them, then the component durability is improved, but the light transmission for tracking is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidlight transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent window and cover portion made of materials that are both protective and optically transparent. These thin film-like structures provide sealing and protection while allowing light transmission, resolving the contradiction between component protection and light transmission for tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The optical assembly employs composite construction with a housing, transparent window, gasket, and cover portion made of different materials optimized for their specific functions. The transparent window and cover portion are made of materials that combine protective properties with optical transparency, enabling both component protection and light transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 sealed design effectively isolates internal components from external environments, ensuring the end-effector's functionality and accuracy are maintained despite exposure to harsh sterilization methods.

Implementation Method 1

the cover portion compressing the gasket between the window and the housing to form a seal between the window and the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20250268669A1End-effectors for surgical robotic systems having sealed optical components

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

An end-effector for a surgical robot system may include an end-effector body and an optical sub-assembly. The optical sub-assembly may include a housing coupled to the end-effector body, the housing including a threaded portion. The optical sub-assembly may further include a window that is transparent to a predetermined range of light radiation wavelengths. The optical sub-assembly may further include a gasket disposed between the housing and the window. The optical sub-assembly may further include a threaded ring disposed over the window and threadedly engaging the threaded portion of the housing, the threaded ring compressing the gasket between the window and the housing to form a seal between the window and the housing. The optical sub-assembly may further include a light emitter configured to emit light in the predetermined range of light radiation wavelengths through the window.