Sterile Instrument Adapter for Teleoperated Surgical Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teleoperated surgical systems face challenges in maintaining sterility due to the non-sterilizable components like motors, sensors, and electrical connections, and require complex and cumbersome connections between the surgical instrument and the teleoperated actuator, complicating workflow and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A sterile drape system with a plastic sheet, pouch, and instrument sterile adapter (ISA) that provides a sterile barrier while allowing easy mounting and dismounting of surgical instruments, incorporating a stiffener for precision and a loose fit around the carriage, and includes features like presence pins and flux connections for electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If teleoperated actuators with motors, sensors, and encoders are used to control surgical instruments, then control precision is improved, but sterilization capability deteriorates because these components cannot be sterilized using conventional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct segments: a sterile disposable instrument/adapter assembly and a non-sterile reusable actuator assembly. The sterile adapter acts as an interface barrier that physically separates the sterile surgical field from the non-sterilizable actuator components, allowing each segment to fulfill its specific requirements independently
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile adapter serves as an intermediary component between the sterile surgical instrument and the non-sterile actuator. It provides mechanical force transmission, electrical signal transmission, and data communication while maintaining the sterile barrier, enabling interaction between the two incompatible environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections are made between surgical instrument and teleoperated actuator for forces, electrical signals, and data, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate connection functions (mechanical drive transmission, electrical signal connections, data communication pathways) are merged into a single integrated sterile adapter component. This consolidation allows all necessary connections to be established simultaneously through one attachment action rather than requiring multiple separate connection steps
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile adapter is designed as a universal interface that simultaneously handles multiple functions: mechanical force transmission through drive interface, electrical signal transmission through contacts, and data communication. This multi-functionality in a single component reduces overall system complexity despite the multiple connection requirements
3Reliability
If a rigid sterile barrier is used between instrument and actuator, then sterility reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in mounting and dismounting instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile adapter incorporates dynamic mechanical features including spring-loaded presence pins that automatically engage with sensing pins, and elastic pouch material that provides flexible sealing. These dynamic elements enable automatic alignment and secure attachment while maintaining sterility, reducing the operational complexity despite the rigid barrier requirement
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument sterile drape includes a plastic sheet and a pouch sealed to a first opening in the plastic sheet. The pouch is shaped to fit around a carriage that includes actuators and may be shaped to provide a loose form fit around the carriage. A stiffener is coupled to the pouch around a second opening in the pouch to provide an area that is less elastic than the remainder of the pouch. An instrument sterile adapter (ISA) may be coupled to the second opening in the pouch. The ISA may include a bottom plate and a top plate located on opposite sides of the pouch and joined together. Portions of the bottom plate may project through the top plate to provide a datum plane to receive a surgical instrument. The ISA may contain loose pins that depress sensing pins in the carriage when a surgical instrument is mounted.