Ergonomic Hand Controller Layout for Surgical Robot Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical robotic systems lack sufficient user-friendly input controls, leading to difficulty in operation, reduced accuracy, and decreased user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
The development of hand controllers with contoured housings, multiple buttons, paddles, and touch input devices that allow for intuitive control of surgical robotic systems, including features like clutch activation, instrument control, and camera orientation, enhancing user interaction and control over robotic assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control systems are used for surgical robotic systems, then the system structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to insufficient input controls and lack of user-friendly operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent hand controllers, each with specialized input devices (buttons, paddles, touch input devices) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each controller to handle specific surgical tasks independently, improving ease of operation without requiring a single complex control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is extended into three-dimensional space with input devices positioned on multiple surfaces (upper surface, inside side surface, outside side surface) of the contoured housing. This spatial distribution of controls across different dimensions allows the surgeon to access various functions without moving the hand controller, enhancing operational ease.
2Ease of operation
If more input controls are added to the hand controller, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple types of input devices (buttons, paddles, touch input devices) are merged into a single integrated hand controller with a contoured housing. This consolidation provides diverse input capabilities in one unit, improving user control without requiring multiple separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand controller is designed as a multi-functional device where different input devices (first button, second button, first touch input device, first paddle, second paddle) can perform various surgical control functions. This universality allows a single controller to handle multiple operational tasks, reducing the need for multiple specialized controllers.
3Ease of operation
If the hand controller is designed with contoured housing for ergonomic grasping, then the ease of operation improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with contoured surfaces including an upper surface, inside side surface, and outside side surface that conform to the natural shape of the surgeon's hand. These curved surfaces enable ergonomic grasping with thumb, fingers, and palm, improving ease of operation during prolonged surgical procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods employing at least one hand controller for controlling a robotic assembly of a surgical robotic system are provided. The hand controller may be used in a surgeon console of a surgical robotic system. The hand controller may include a contoured housing having an upper surface, an inside side surface adjacent the upper surface, an outside side surface facing away from the first side surface, and a lower surface facing away from the upper surface. The hand controller may include a plurality of buttons including a first button positioned on the upper surface and a second button positioned on one of the upper surface, the inside side surface, or the outside side surface; a first touch input device positioned on the upper surface; and a first paddle mounted to either of the inside side surface or the outside side surface.