Surgical Adapter Segmented Latch for Robotic Arm

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adapters for surgical instruments connected to robot arms face challenges in achieving both easy attachment and detachment, as well as stable fixation, due to the latch deformation mechanism, which requires either excessive force or compromised fixing strength.

Innovation Solution

The adapter design includes a base with recesses, an engagement member that moves between advanced and retracted positions, a biasing member to bias the engagement member to the advanced position, and an operating member to move the engagement member against the biasing force, allowing for easy attachment and stable fixation to the robot arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the latch is hardly deformed, then the fixing strength of the adapter to the robot arm becomes large, but a greater force is necessary to deform the latch in attaching, making it difficult to attach and detach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is divided into two functional parts: a deformable portion that is easily deformed for attachment/detachment operations, and a non-deformable portion that maintains fixing strength when engaged. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties independently, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and fixing strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the latch have different mechanical properties: the deformable portion is designed with local quality that allows easy deformation, while the non-deformable portion has local quality that provides strong fixing. This local differentiation enables the latch to exhibit both ease of operation during manipulation and strong fixing when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the latch is easy to be deformed, then the ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but the fixing strength of the adapter to the robot arm becomes small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidfixing strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is divided into two functional parts: a deformable portion that is easily deformed for attachment/detachment operations, and a non-deformable portion that maintains fixing strength when engaged. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties independently, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and fixing strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the latch have different mechanical properties: the deformable portion is designed with local quality that allows easy deformation, while the non-deformable portion has local quality that provides strong fixing. This local differentiation enables the latch to exhibit both ease of operation during manipulation and strong fixing when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a greater force is applied to deform the latch, then the fixing strength may be improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the excessive force required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is divided into two functional parts: a deformable portion that is easily deformed for attachment/detachment operations, and a non-deformable portion that maintains fixing strength when engaged. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties independently, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and fixing strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the latch have different mechanical properties: the deformable portion is designed with local quality that allows easy deformation, while the non-deformable portion has local quality that provides strong fixing. This local differentiation enables the latch to exhibit both ease of operation during manipulation and strong fixing when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration enables the adapter to be easily attached and detached from the robot arm while maintaining stable fixation, reducing the risk of detachment during surgical instrument operation.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member which biases the engagement member in a direction from the retracted position to the advanced position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11944280B2Adapter, surgical instrument set, and method for connecting surgical instrument

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 MEDICAROID CORP

AI summary

An adapter for detachably connecting a surgical instrument to a robot arm of a robotic surgical system according to an embodiment may include: a base including a first surface to be attached to an attachment portion of the robot arm, a second surface, and a plurality of recesses formed in the first surface; an engagement member disposed in the base and movable between an advanced position where the engagement member is advanced into the plurality of recesses and a retracted position where the engagement member is retracted from inside the plurality of recesses; a biasing member which biases the engagement member in a direction from the retracted position to the advanced position; and an operating member to be operated to move the engagement member to the retracted position against a biasing force of the biasing member.