Surgical Instrument Creepage Insulation for Robot Current Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments that use high-frequency currents for incision and hemostasis pose a risk of causing failures and malfunctions in surgical assist robots due to electrical flow into sensor and control equipment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring a cable member with an outer shell and multiple insulating portions to create a longer creeping distance, inhibiting electric power from flowing into the robot's outer shell, thereby reducing the risk of malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency current is supplied to the surgical instrument for incision and hemostasis, then the surgical function is improved, but the risk of electrical flow into the surgical assist robot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating structure between the cable member (carrying high frequency current) and the outer shell (connected to robot). This includes a first insulating portion surrounding the cable member, a second insulating portion at the distal end, and a projecting portion with recessed portion configuration. These intermediary insulating elements prevent direct electrical contact while allowing the surgical instrument to function, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling high frequency current flow and preventing harmful electrical flow into the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the insulation approach from a simple linear barrier to a multi-dimensional insulating structure. The projecting portion with its recessed portion creates a three-dimensional insulating barrier that increases the creepage distance in multiple directions. This dimensional approach ensures that even if the cable member shifts or vibrates during surgery, the electrical isolation is maintained, effectively preventing harmful electrical flow while preserving surgical functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insulating structure is added between cable member and outer shell, then electrical insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulating function with the structural components of the surgical instrument. The first insulating portion is integrated into the shaft structure, the second insulating portion is combined with the distal end structure, and the projecting portion is formed as part of the overall housing. This merging approach allows the insulating elements to serve dual purposes: providing electrical isolation while also serving as structural support and housing components, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the added insulation requirements.
3Reliability
If creeping distance is increased to prevent electrical flow, then safety is improved, but the space required in the instrument increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and cylindrical geometries in the insulating structure to maximize the creeping distance within a compact volume. The first insulating portion is formed as a cylinder surrounding the cable member, the second insulating portion at the distal end uses curved surfaces, and the projecting portion features a recessed portion with curved boundaries. These spherical and cylindrical forms naturally provide longer surface paths for creepage compared to flat or angular configurations, achieving enhanced safety without proportionally increasing the instrument's overall volume.
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 design effectively prevents electric current from flowing from the surgical instrument to the surgical assist robot, reducing the risk of failures and malfunctions by increasing the insulation distance beyond the voltage's determined creeping distance.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric insulating portion arranged in a part of a space between the cable member and the outer shell... a second electric insulating portion arranged at a position, which exists between the cable member and the outer shell and which is adjacent to the first insulating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument of the present disclosure includes: a conductive cable member formed into a cable-like shape; a conductive outer shell covering a circumference of the cable member; first and second insulating portions made of materials having higher insulation properties than the cable member and the outer shell; a projecting portion projecting from a projecting insulating portion, which is one of the first and second insulating portions, toward a recessed insulating portion, which is the other, the cable member being inserted into the projecting portion; a conductive leading end portion separated from the recessed insulating portion and the outer shell, the leading end portion being bendable using tension of the cable member with an end portion connected thereto; and a power supply cable in a cable-like shape arranged inside the first and second insulating portions for supplying an electric power from outside to the leading end portion.