Heat-Shrink Sterile Drape for Optical Window Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical drapes used to cover surgical robots and imaging devices often cause optical signal distortion and require manual alignment of optical windows, leading to user error and movement during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A shrinkable sterile drape with integrated optical windows that conform to the surface of surgical tools when heated, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing optical distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual alignment of optical windows is used in surgical drapes, then the drape can be simple in structure, but optical signal distortion occurs and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal shrinkage of the drape material to automatically align the optical window with the imaging device. When heat is applied, the drape shrinks and the optical window self-aligns with the imaging device below, eliminating manual alignment requirements and preventing optical signal distortion while maintaining relatively simple drape construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the drape material from unshrunk to shrunk through heat application. This parameter change causes the optical window to transition from a misaligned state to a precisely aligned state with the imaging device, resolving the alignment precision issue without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If manual alignment of optical windows is used, then the drape application process is simple, but user error increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the optical window to self-align with the imaging device through thermal shrinkage of the drape material. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates reliance on manual alignment by the user, preventing user error while maintaining ease of drape application. The system serves itself by using the shrinkage process to automatically position the optical window correctly
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal shrinkage process provides a reliable, repeatable mechanism that consistently achieves proper alignment regardless of user skill level. The physical shrinkage of the material ensures the optical window aligns with the imaging device every time, eliminating variability and user error while keeping the application process simple
3Stability of the object's composition
If optical windows are made stationary relative to the robotic arm, then visibility during surgery is maintained, but the drape material must resist movement and positioning precision increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thermal shrinkage to create a form-fitting drape that adheres to the robotic arm surface. This shrinkage process permanently sets the optical window position relative to the robotic arm features, ensuring stability during surgery without requiring complex active positioning mechanisms. The shrunk material itself becomes the positioning mechanism
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 solution reduces optical distortion and user error by automatically aligning optical windows with imaging devices and markers, maintaining clear visibility and functionality during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a second portion configured to shrink relative to the first portion in the presence of heat; when the second portion receives heat, the second portion shrinks onto and substantially conforms to a surface of the surgical robot
Implementation Method 2
an optical window disposed in the second portion and configured to permit passage of light therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A shrink sterile drape according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first portion; a second portion configured to shrink relative to the first portion in the presence of heat; and an optical window disposed in the second portion and configured to permit passage of light therethrough.