Stretchable Membrane Sterile Adapter for Actuation Across Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterile adapters for robotic surgery systems face challenges in transmitting actuation actions across a sterile barrier without tearing or breaking the barrier material, particularly when involving hoists or capstans, and require complex assembly due to alignment issues with stiffening elements.
Innovation Solution
A sterile adapter with a frame and a stretchable membrane that transmits linear actuation and roll actions without movable parts, using a proximal and distal coupling device, where the membrane is elastically stretchable to facilitate localized linear actuation through its thickness, ensuring a secure and durable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hoists or capstans are used to transmit actuation actions across the sterile barrier, then the actuation transmission is achieved, but the barrier material is torn or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical transmission elements (hoists, capstans) with a magnetic field-based transmission system. Magnets positioned on the non-sterile side of the barrier interact with corresponding magnets or magnetic sensors on the sterile side, transmitting actuation actions through the barrier without physical contact or mechanical stress that would cause tearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile barrier itself serves as an intermediary medium that allows magnetic field penetration while blocking mechanical contact. The magnetic field acts as a mediator to transmit actuation forces across the barrier without compromising its structural integrity or sterility.
2Strength
If complex assembly with stiffening elements is used to maintain barrier integrity, then the barrier strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sterile barrier film that is sufficiently strong to maintain integrity without requiring additional stiffening elements. The magnetic transmission system works effectively with thin, flexible materials, eliminating the need for complex rigid structures or multiple assembly components.
3Ease of operation
If the sterile adapter allows detachable coupling for instrument exchange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that maintains the sterile barrier's integrity during detachable coupling operations. The barrier remains sealed while allowing controlled access for instrument exchange, and the magnetic transmission system enables actuation without breaching the sterile field.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile adapter is designed as a disposable component that maintains sterility throughout use. After a single use or instrument exchange cycle, the entire adapter is discarded, eliminating the risk of contamination from repeated assembly/disassembly of reusable components.
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 solution effectively transmits actuation actions across the sterile barrier without material tearing or complex assembly, maintaining sterility and ease of use by allowing detachable coupling and exchange of surgical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is elastically stretchable to facilitate localized linear actuation through its thickness
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
Sterile adapter (101) for a robotic surgery system (102) comprising a frame (103), a proximal coupling device (104) suitable to form a connection with a non-sterile robotic manipulator system (105), a distal cavity (106) suitable to form a connection with a surgical instrument (107) suitable to perform robotic surgery to a patient anatomy, a membrane (109) having a proximal non-sterile side (110) and a distal sterile side (111), opposite to the proximal non-sterile side (110), said membrane (109) is between said proximal coupling device (104) and said distal cavity (106), said membrane (109) is stretchable so that to transmit a plurality of pushing action (112) from said proximal non-sterile side (104) to said distal sterile side (106), said frame is rigid to transmit a roll action.