Sensor-Based Surgeon Input Device for Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic-assisted surgical systems face challenges in ensuring safety and precision during minimally invasive surgeries, particularly due to ergonomic issues with surgeon input devices that lead to fatigue and discomfort from prolonged use in exhaustive postures.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-based surgeon input device with a housing, electromagnetic signal transmitter, and sensors to detect hand position and orientation, allowing for comfortable posture adjustments and precise control of surgical instruments, optionally featuring capacitive, electromagnetic, or IMU sensors, and wireless communication with the control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical hand controller is used for robotic surgery, then surgical precision is achieved, but surgeon fatigue increases due to exhaustive posture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand controller with a sensor-based input device that uses electromagnetic fields and sensors to detect hand position and orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and allows the surgeon to control surgical instruments through natural hand movements detected by sensors, reducing physical strain while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of electromagnetic signal transmitters and sensors that mediate between the surgeon's hand movements and the robotic surgical system. This intermediary layer translates natural hand gestures into precise robotic commands without requiring direct mechanical connection, thereby improving comfort while preserving control accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the surgeon console is designed for precise control, then surgical accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing and detection functions from the main console structure and places them in a separate, portable sensor-based input device. This extraction simplifies the console design by removing complex mechanical components while maintaining surgical accuracy through wireless sensor feedback and processing.
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
Enhances ergonomic comfort and precision in robotic surgical systems by allowing surgeons to change postures and reducing fatigue, while providing accurate control over surgical instruments through sensor feedback and wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one sensor, in operative communication with an electromagnetic signal transmitter, configured to detect at least one of a position and orientation of a surgeon's hand within a predefined electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic signal transmitter
Implementation Method 2
the housing comprising a capacitive sensor to detect presence of the surgeon's hand
Implementation Method 3
the at least one sensor configured to detect a compression and decompression of the at least one button
Data Source
AI summary
A surgeon input device for controlling a robotic surgical system is disclosed herein. The surgeon input device comprising a housing and at least one sensor disposed within the housing. The at least one sensor, in operative communication with an electromagnetic signal transmitter, configured to detect at least one of a position and orientation of a surgeon's hand within a predefined electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic signal transmitter. The surgeon input device further comprising at least one button protruding out of the housing, where the at least one button configured to open and close an end-effector of a surgical instrument and at least one sensor disposed within the housing, where the at least one sensor configured to detect a compression and decompression of the at least one button and send a signal via a sensor wire to a control system to regulate opening and closing of the end effector of the surgical instrument.