Sterile Connector Assembly for Robotic End Effector Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining a sterile surgical field during robotic or robot-assisted surgery is challenging due to the difficulty in sterilizing robot arms and the time-consuming process of re-draping or using intermediate components that inhibit communication and functionality between the robot arm and end effectors.
Innovation Solution
A sterile connector system that integrates a sterile drape and signal connectors, allowing for secure coupling between a robot arm and end effector, maintaining sterility without disrupting surgical flow or functionality, and enabling electrical signal and light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile drape is coupled to an intermediate component that engages with the robot arm and end effector, then sterility can be maintained, but communication and interaction between the user, robot arm, and end effector are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides sterile barrier functionality through the drape attachment while simultaneously enabling signal transmission through integrated signal connectors. This merges the sterile barrier function with the communication function, eliminating the need for separate intermediate components that would block signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile connector serves multiple purposes: maintaining sterility, transmitting electrical signals, transmitting light signals, and providing mechanical coupling between the robot arm and end effector. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component that does not inhibit communication while maintaining sterility.
2Reliability
If a sterile drape is used to cover the robot arm, then sterility can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome when re-draping is required for end effector changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile drape is pre-attached to the sterile connector before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary action ensures that when end effectors are changed during surgery, the drape remains in place and sterility is maintained without requiring time-consuming re-draping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the sterile connector (with attached drape) from the robot arm, allowing the sterile connector and drape to remain stationary while end effectors are changed. This segmentation enables end effector changes without disturbing the sterile barrier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot arm enters the surgical site, then robotic surgery can be performed, but maintaining sterility becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile connector acts as an intermediary component between the non-sterile robot arm and the sterile surgical field. It provides a sterile interface that allows the robot arm to function in the surgical site while maintaining the sterile barrier through the attached drape.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile drape, as a flexible thin film, is attached to the sterile connector to create a sterile barrier. This flexible barrier allows the robot arm to move and function while maintaining sterility, enabling robotic surgery capability without compromising sterility maintenance.
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 system ensures a reliable sterile barrier during surgical procedures, allowing for seamless swapping of end effectors without re-sterilization, enhancing patient safety and operational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The signal connector can be configured to pass at least one of electrical signals and light between the sterile connector and the robot arm and/or end effector
Implementation Method 2
The signal connector can be configured to pass at least one of electrical signals and light between the sterile connector and the robot arm and/or end effector
Data Source
AI summary
Sterile connectors for robotic or robot-assisted surgery and related systems and methods can be used to establish a sterile barrier between a non-sterile robot arm and a surgical site. More particularly, a sterile connector can include a first component connector to couple to a distal end of a robot arm, a second component connector to couple to an end effector, and a sterile drape extending from the sterile connector. The sterile drape can drape the robot arm and can maintain a sterile barrier around the robot arm throughout the course of a surgical procedure. In this manner, an end effector can be swapped out during the procedure without the need to re-drape or re-establish the sterile surgical field. In some embodiments, the sterile connector can facilitate the passage of electrical signals and/or light between the sterile connector and at least one of the robot arm and end effector.