Synchronized Surgical Device Motion via Central Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In operating rooms, multiple surgical devices from different manufacturers with independent control systems often operate in isolation, lacking the ability to communicate and coordinate their actions, which can lead to entanglement and potentially injure a patient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of techniques for synchronized motion between surgical devices, allowing multiple devices to actively synchronize their motions and a user to have simultaneous hybrid control of multiple instruments from a single control station, with features like 'follow-me' mode, 'station-keeping' mode, and hybrid load-stroke control loops to maintain tissue tension and coordinate actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple surgical devices operate independently without coordination, then each device can function autonomously, but the devices may become entangled and injure the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where each surgical device continuously reports its position, motion, and status to a central coordination system. This feedback loop enables the system to detect potential conflicts and coordinate device movements to prevent entanglement while maintaining autonomous operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A central coordination system acts as an intermediary between multiple independent surgical devices. This mediator receives commands from each device, processes them to ensure safety, and coordinates their operations to prevent entanglement, allowing autonomous devices to work together safely.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices from different manufacturers with independent control systems are used, then device versatility and adaptability are improved, but coordination and communication between devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces that enable devices from different manufacturers to interact seamlessly. This universality allows the coordination system to manage diverse devices with independent control systems while maintaining compatibility and reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The central coordination system serves as an intermediary layer that translates and standardizes communication between devices from different manufacturers. This mediator handles the complexity of integrating diverse control systems, presenting a unified interface that simplifies coordination while preserving device versatility.
3Productivity
If a user controls multiple surgical devices simultaneously from a single control station, then operational efficiency is improved, but the complexity of coordinating multiple devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control of multiple surgical devices into a single integrated control station. This consolidation allows the user to operate all devices simultaneously from one interface, improving procedural efficiency while the system internally manages the coordination complexity through automated synchronization protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The control station implements real-time feedback mechanisms that display the status and position of all connected devices. This feedback enables the user to coordinate multiple devices intuitively while the system automatically handles the complexity of synchronization and conflict resolution.
4Ease of operation
If devices maintain independent motion control, then ease of operation is preserved, but the risk of entanglement and tissue injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors device positions and motions through feedback sensors, enabling real-time detection of potential conflicts. This feedback mechanism allows the system to coordinate device movements to prevent entanglement and tissue injury while preserving the ease of independent device control through automated intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary measures to prevent harmful interactions by continuously predicting potential conflicts and taking preemptive coordination actions. This preliminary anti-action approach prevents entanglement and tissue injury before they occur, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques for synchronized motion of independent surgical devices. An example first surgical instrument may have a movable component. The first surgical instrument may receive a motion control parameter. The motion control parameter may be one or more of: a force relative to a tissue contact shared between the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument; or a positional relationship between the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument. The first surgical instrument may sense a motion event caused by a user control input to a second surgical instrument. The first surgical instrument may autonomously adjust motion of the movable component based on the motion control parameter and the motion event.