Surgical Equipment Docking Arm for Multi-Axis Table Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical equipment holders lack the ability to easily and reliably adjust multiple surgical devices over multiple degrees of freedom, limiting their versatility and adaptability in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dock system for surgical equipment holders featuring a base with central and side arm mounts, clamping jaws, and extendable moment arms, allowing for adjustable and secure mounting of various surgical instruments on a surgical table, enabling precise positioning and repositioning of equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical equipment holders are designed to be adjustable over multiple degrees of freedom, then the versatility and adaptability of mounting multiple surgical devices is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dock is divided into multiple independent arm mounts (central arm mount, first side arm mount, second side arm mount), each capable of independently adjusting and holding surgical equipment. This segmentation allows each mount to provide adjustability without requiring the entire system to be overly complex, as each segment operates semi-independently with its own adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock provides universal mounting capability by incorporating multiple arm mounts that can accommodate various types of surgical equipment (endoscopes, retractors, etc.). Each mount uses a standardized adjustment mechanism with a ball, socket, and clamp assembly that can universally hold different surgical devices, reducing the need for device-specific mounting solutions.
2Productivity
If multiple surgical equipment holders are mounted on a single dock, then the productivity and efficiency of surgical procedures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical equipment holders are merged into a single dock structure, allowing several devices to be mounted and positioned from one centralized unit. The dock combines multiple arm mounts (central and side mounts) into one integrated system, enabling efficient access to multiple surgical instruments during procedures while maintaining a unified base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through movable arms with ball-and-socket joints and clamp mechanisms. Each arm can be dynamically repositioned to different angles and locations, allowing the system to adapt to various surgical configurations and procedures, thereby improving productivity without requiring a completely rigid or fixed structure.
3Measurement precision
If the dock system provides precise positioning capabilities for surgical equipment, then the measurement precision of equipment placement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism uses a ball as an intermediary element between the movable arm and the clamp assembly. The ball fits into a socket and is secured by the clamp, providing a simple yet effective means of achieving precise positioning. This intermediary ball-socket-clamp mechanism allows for accurate angular and positional adjustment without requiring complex actuators or control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dock for a surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The dock for a surgical equipment holder includes a base having a central arm mount and a lower clamping jaw. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes an upper clamp jaw movably coupled to the base. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central docking arm coupled to the central arm mount and a central ball cup coupled to the to the central docking arm. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central attachment nut coupled to the central ball cup. The central attachment nut may include an extendable moment arm, and the dock may also include a ball coupled between the central ball cup and the central attachment nut and a surgical equipment holder attached to the ball.