Sterile Drape for Robotic Surgical Tower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterile surgical drapes fail to effectively cover the central tower of robotic surgical systems like the da Vinci™ Surgical System without restricting the mobility of the robotic arms extending from it, leading to contamination and complex decontamination processes.
Innovation Solution
An oblong, clear flexible plastic drape with pocket flaps that enclose the central tower, allowing robotic arms to extend on either side and the camera/endoscope arm to pass through, while unfolding to avoid contact with non-sterile surfaces and secure with adhesive tabs to prevent interference with the cart's wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sleeve-type drape is used to cover the central tower, then the tower is protected from contamination, but the mobility of the robotic arms is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The drape is divided into multiple functional segments: a central tower cover portion and separate arm access portions. This segmentation allows the tower to be protected while creating dedicated openings that maintain arm mobility. The drape includes a main body covering the tower and separate arm openings that allow robotic arms to extend and move freely without compromising the protective barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm access portions are extracted as separate functional elements from the continuous drape material. These extracted portions create dedicated openings or pathways that allow robotic arms to pass through and move independently, while the remaining drape material maintains the protective barrier around the tower.
2Ease of operation
If a simple sheet drape is used, then arm mobility is maintained, but the tower protection is insufficient and decontamination remains complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drape provides different qualities in different locations: a substantial protective barrier around the tower with specific structural features for contamination protection, and localized openings or access portions that provide arm mobility. The local quality varies from dense protective material at the tower to open access areas for the arms.
3Area of stationary object
If the drape unfolds during use, then it provides adequate coverage, but it may contact non-sterile surfaces causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The drape is pre-packaged in a sterile state and unfolded in a controlled manner during surgery. The unfolding action is performed as a preliminary step before the surgical procedure begins, ensuring that the drape maintains its sterile barrier properties throughout the operation without contacting non-sterile surfaces.
4Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tabs are used to secure the drape, then the drape remains in position, but they may interfere with the cart's wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive tabs are positioned at specific locations on the drape that provide stable attachment to the tower while deliberately avoiding areas that would interfere with the cart's wheel movement. The local placement of adhesive elements ensures both drape stability and operational freedom for the mobile cart.
Data Source
AI summary
A sterile surgical drape for protecting a robotic surgical system includes an oblong drape of a clear flexible plastic material, which unfolds from a compact packet. From the proximal side of the main panel of the drape there project two pocket flaps, which are separated by a medial trough. The two pocket flaps are configured to slip over one another and together enclose the top of the control tower in an overlapping fashion, such that the robotic manipulator arms extend on either side of the main panel, while the camera/endoscope arm extends through the medial trough. The open ends of the pocket flaps are folded over to form cuffs, wherein a nurse can insert his/her hand to draw the flap over the top of the tower without touching non-sterile surfaces. The unfolding of the main panel is controlled by adhesive tabs or tear strips, so that the bottom of the panel does not engage the cart's wheels or the floor.