Surgical Drape Attachment Sensing for Sterile Cart Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drapes for patient side carts of teleoperated surgical systems are inadequate in facilitating easy installation and management, and there is a need to ensure proper sterilization without damaging sensitive components like motors and electronics.
Innovation Solution
The surgical drape system includes a body and an attachment device feature that can be detected by a sensor, allowing for easy installation and providing feedback on installation status, with materials like thermoplastic polyurethane and magnets for secure attachment to patient side cart components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical drapes are used to cover portions of the patient side cart, then the need for sterilization and replacement of the arm is minimized, but the installation and management of the drape becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drape is pre-assembled with an attachment device feature (magnetic component) before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid installation by simply bringing the drape into proximity with the patient side cart, where the magnetic attachment automatically secures it. The sensor is also pre-positioned to detect the attachment feature, ensuring automatic verification of proper installation without requiring manual checking or complex procedures.
2Ease of operation
If traditional surgical drapes are used without attachment sensors, then the design remains simple, but the ability to detect and verify proper installation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a sensor that automatically detects the presence of the attachment device feature on the drape. When the drape is properly installed, the sensor provides feedback (such as a visual or electronic confirmation) to verify correct installation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the surgical team can immediately confirm the drape is securely attached without manual inspection, while the overall system remains relatively simple using basic sensing technology.
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
Facilitates efficient and reliable drape installation on patient side carts, ensuring sterility and protecting sensitive components from contamination while minimizing the need for replacement or sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
materials like thermoplastic polyurethane and magnets for secure attachment to patient side cart components
Data Source
AI summary
A patient side cart can have a first sensor at an arm and a second sensor at a main column. A sterile barrier system can include a first drape to cover at least a portion of the arm of the cart, a first attachment device connected to the first drape, a second drape to cover at least a portion of the main column of the cart, and a second attachment device connected to the second drape. In an installed position of the first drape, the first sensor can detect he first attachment device and in an installed position of the second drape, the second sensor can to detect the second attachment device. A system comprising the cart and barrier system can output a warning in response to one or both of the first sensor not detecting the first attachment device and the second sensor not detecting the second attachment device.