Slip Ring Assembly for Robotic Electrosurgical Instrument Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic surgical systems face challenges in maintaining a stable electrical connection for electrosurgical instruments during continuous axial rotation, particularly when using bipolar or monopolar instruments, which can lead to tangling of cables and disruption of the electrical pathway.

Innovation Solution

A slip ring assembly is developed to maintain a constant electrical connection by using spring-loaded C-shaped brushes in contact with metal rings, ensuring a stable conductive pathway even during continuous axial rotation of the instrument, utilizing PEEK and PTFE components for mechanical and biocompatibility, and featuring modular designs for bipolar and monopolar instruments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If continuous axial rotation of the instrument is enabled during robotic surgery, then the surgical instrument can achieve greater operational flexibility and access different angles, but the cable will tangle and the electrical connection will be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a slip ring assembly as an intermediary component between the rotating instrument and the stationary cable. The slip ring includes conductive rings that rotate with the instrument and spring-loaded C-shaped brushes that maintain sliding contact with these rings, thereby mediating the electrical connection between the rotating and stationary parts without cable tangling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic electrical connection system where the slip ring rotates continuously with the instrument while the brushes dynamically adjust their position through spring loading to maintain constant contact. This dynamic mechanism allows the electrical connection to adapt to continuous rotation without disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a fixed cable connection is used for electrosurgical instruments, then the electrical pathway remains stable, but the cable becomes tangled during axial rotation of the instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical pathway stabilityVSAvoidrotation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slip ring assembly serves as a mediator that decouples the rotation capability from the electrical connection stability. The rotating conductive rings and sliding brushes create an intermediary interface that allows both rotation and stable electrical connection to coexist

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cable connection with an electromechanical slip ring system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical constraint of cable winding while maintaining electrical continuity through sliding contact between brushes and conductive rings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If spring-loaded C-shaped brushes are used to maintain electrical contact with rotating rings, then continuous electrical connection is achieved during rotation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous electrical connectionVSAvoidslip ring assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded brushes automatically self-adjust their contact pressure and position through the spring mechanism, maintaining reliable electrical contact without requiring external control or adjustment. The system serves itself by using the spring force to compensate for wear and positional variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 slip ring assembly effectively prevents cable tangling and maintains electrical connectivity during axial rotation, ensuring reliable power supply to the surgical instruments, facilitating seamless operation and ease of cleaning and sterilization.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded C-shaped brushes in contact with metal rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250366905A1Slip ring assemblies for coupling electrosurgical energy to robotically manipulated surgical instruments

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

An electrosurgical instrument having an elongate shaft and an adapter on the proximal end of the shaft is mountable to a robotic manipulator which can axially roll the instrument about its longitudinal axis. A connector on the adapter allows the adapter to be coupled to an electrosurgical unit so current can be conducted through the instrument to tissue in contact with the distal end of the instrument. The adapter includes a slip ring assembly that allows the connector to maintain its orientation relative to the electrosurgical instrument when the robotic manipulator is operated to axially roll the instrument and adapter.