Radiation Shielded Cockpit With Articulated Robotic Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical robotic systems for catheter procedures lack efficient radiation shielding and flexible arm attachment mechanisms, which hinder safe operation and efficient storage during procedures and between procedures.

Innovation Solution

A radiation shielding cockpit with a structure for attaching and tracking an articulated robotic arm, allowing for both static and dynamic attachment, and incorporating a sensing and signaling mechanism to manage patient table movements, ensuring the arm's proper positioning and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the robotic arm is dynamically attached to the patient table, then the arm can participate in robotic catheter procedures, but the complexity of the attachment and tracking mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic attachment capabilityVSAvoidattachment and tracking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it can statically mount the robotic arm for storage, dynamically mount it for procedures, and automatically track patient table movements. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the added complexity worthwhile through versatile usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect patient table position and orientation, providing feedback to the robotic arm control system. This automatic tracking eliminates manual adjustment complexity while enabling dynamic participation in procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the robotic arm is statically attached to the cockpit structure, then it is easy to store between procedures, but it cannot dynamically participate in procedures requiring patient table movement tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidprocedure participation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure transitions from a static attachment point to a dynamic system that can automatically track and follow patient table movements. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to support both storage and active procedure participation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cockpit provides comprehensive radiation shielding, then operator safety is improved, but the workspace size and accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidworkspace size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shielding is applied locally around the operator's position and the robotic arm mechanism, rather than enclosing the entire cockpit. This selective shielding provides adequate radiation protection while preserving necessary workspace accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9070486B2Radiation shielding cockpit carrying an articulated robotic arm

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS ENDOVASCULAR ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

A radiation shielded cockpit comprises a radiation blocking material which creates a semi-enclosed work space and which is provided with a structure for receiving and supporting an articulated robot arm and an articulated robot arm that engages the supporting structure in a readily removable manner.