Sterile Cover Fastening for Surgical Robot LED Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing sterile drapes over surgical robots with navigation markers, such as LEDs, result in tracking inaccuracies due to light reflections and require complex, non-standardized, and costly procedures, leading to increased production and sterilization costs.
Innovation Solution
A cover fastening element that uses navigation markers, particularly LEDs, to securely attach a sterile cover film via snap or magnetic connections, ensuring a smooth surface for accurate tracking without compromising sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile cover film is attached to the robot surface using a contractible cord, then the robot can be covered with a sterile barrier, but the covering process becomes complex and non-standardized
Solution Approach 1:
The cover film is divided into multiple segments, each with an integrated fastening element, allowing modular attachment to different robot components rather than requiring a single complex cord-based system
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening elements are designed to automatically engage with the robot surface features, enabling the cover film to secure itself without requiring manual tying or complex fastening procedures
2Reliability
If a sterile cover film is used to cover the robot, then a sterile barrier is provided, but light reflections at the cover film significantly decrease tracking accuracy of infrared LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the cover film material itself and implemented through separate integrated fastening elements, allowing the cover film to be thin and transparent while maintaining secure attachment and minimizing optical interference
Solution Approach 2:
The cover film is designed with different properties in different regions: thin and transparent in areas covering LEDs for optimal light transmission, and reinforced with integrated fastening elements in areas requiring secure attachment
3Measurement precision
If passive markers are attached to black interfaces on the cover film, then tracking can be implemented, but both sterile and non-sterile markers are required, increasing production and sterilization costs
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation markers are designed to serve dual functions: providing optical tracking signals and serving as attachment points for sterile cover fastening elements, eliminating the need for separate sterile and non-sterile marker systems
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking marker function and the fastening interface function are merged into a single integrated component, allowing one element to fulfill both purposes and simplifying the overall system
4Reliability
If sterilizable LEDs are integrated into the end effector, then a sterile barrier can be maintained, but high costs and complex power supply requirements result
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization requirement is extracted from the LED components and applied only to the cover film and fastening elements, allowing the use of inexpensive, non-sterilizable LEDs while maintaining overall system sterility through the removable sterile cover
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
Provides a simple, cost-effective, and standardized method for attaching a sterile cover film that enhances tracking accuracy by preventing light reflections and diffraction, while maintaining a sterile barrier.
Implementation Method 1
A cover fastening element that uses navigation markers, particularly LEDs, to securely attach a sterile cover film via snap or magnetic connections
Implementation Method 2
tracking accuracy of covered infrared LEDs decreases significantly due to light reflections at the cover film
Implementation Method 3
preventing light reflections and diffraction
Data Source
AI summary
A medical cover fastening element is configured for releasably fixing a sterile cover film to a navigation marker, preferably to a light emitting diode, in particular to a light emitting diode of a surgical robot. The medical cover fastening element has an opening and a cover fastening interface. The opening extends along a longitudinal axis from an underside to an upper side of the cover fastening element, into which opening a protruding body, preferably a navigation marker, very preferably a light emitting diode, can be inserted from an underside towards the upper side. The cover fastening element can be releasably fastened, force-fittingly and/or form-fittingly, via the cover fastening interface, in particular in the region of the underside of the cover fastening element. A sterile cover film, a cover fastening system, a sterile cover system and a surgical robot can be used with the medical cover fastening element.