Robotic Surgical Drape Management Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excess draping material and cables often interfere with the movement of robotic surgical arms and personnel during minimally invasive procedures, necessitating a solution to manage and route these effectively.

Innovation Solution

A drape management assembly with a base portion and grasping portion, featuring rotatable jaws and prongs, is designed to securely contain and route excess draping material and cables, maintaining a sterile environment while allowing full range of motion for robotic arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drape is used to enclose the robotic surgical system to maintain sterility, then the sterile barrier is improved, but excess drape material interferes with the movement of the robotic arm and surgical personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterile barrierVSAvoidmovement of robotic arm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drape management assembly extracts and separates the excess drape material from the functional robotic arm system. The assembly includes a collection pouch that captures and contains the excess drape material, effectively removing it from the operational space where it would interfere with robotic arm movement and personnel access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drape management assembly acts as an intermediary device between the sterile drape and the robotic arm. It provides a structured interface that allows the drape to maintain sterility while preventing excess material from becoming entangled with or obstructing the robotic arm's movement through guided routing channels and collection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cables extend from the console through the robotic arm to the end effector to provide mechanical power, then the end effector operation is enabled, but the cables interfere with the movement of the robotic arm and get in the way of medical personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend effector operationVSAvoidmovement of robotic arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system segments the cable routing into distinct pathways and channels. Cables are routed through dedicated conduits and channels within the robotic arm structure and drape management assembly, separating them from the external environment and preventing interference with robotic arm movement and personnel access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If excess drape material is allowed to accumulate, then the sterile enclosure is maintained, but it interferes with the medical procedure by getting in the way of robotic arm movement and personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterile enclosureVSAvoidmedical procedure efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drape management assembly extracts excess drape material from the operational field and contains it within a dedicated collection pouch. This removal of excess material from the active surgical area eliminates interference with robotic arm movement and personnel while preserving the sterile enclosure function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drape management assembly redirects excess drape material into a different spatial dimension by routing it into a collection pouch positioned away from the robotic arm's movement path. This dimensional reorganization allows the sterile enclosure to be maintained without the excess material occupying the same operational space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3419545B1Drape management assemblies for robotic surgical systems
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP3419545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3419545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3419545B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A drape management assembly for a robotic surgical system includes a base portion and a grasping portion. The base portion is configured for connection to the robotic surgical system. The grasping portion extends from the base portion and defines a cavity therebetween. The cavity is configured to locate an excess portion of a drape which sheaths at least a robotic arm of the robotic surgical system.