Surgical Instrument Adapter Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic surgical systems face challenges in securely exchanging end effectors during procedures, often leading to inadvertent removal due to manual errors.
Innovation Solution
An instrument adapter with a housing, drive member, nut, and shaft assembly is designed to interconnect and securely lock end effectors, featuring a movable nut and link mechanism that prevents inadvertent detachment by resisting proximal movement until intentionally unlocked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual detachment of end effector is allowed for easy exchange, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent removal
Solution Approach 1:
The link is designed to be movable between a proximal non-locking position and a distal locking position, allowing the system to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic mechanism enables secure attachment during surgery while allowing intentional exchange when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut acts as an intermediary component between the drive member and the link. By moving the nut along the drive member, it can selectively engage or disengage the link, thereby controlling the locked/unlocked state. This intermediary mechanism provides a controlled interface for preventing inadvertent removal while enabling intentional exchange.
2Reliability
If locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent removal, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the existing exchange mechanism. The link that enables end effector exchange also serves as the locking element, and the nut that positions the link also controls the locked/unlocked state. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate locking components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The link serves multiple functions: it enables end effector exchange by moving between positions, and simultaneously provides locking by engaging with the drive member. The nut also serves dual purposes by positioning the link and controlling the locked/unlocked state. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed for the locking mechanism.
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
The solution ensures secure attachment and detachment of end effectors, preventing accidental removal and enhancing the reliability of end effector exchange processes in robotic surgical systems.
Implementation Method 1
the nut is threadedly coupled to the drive member and axially movable relative thereto
Implementation Method 2
the link may be resiliently biased toward the distal position
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument adapter includes a housing, a drive member, a nut, and a shaft assembly. The nut is threadedly coupled to the drive member and axially movable relative thereto. The shaft assembly includes a shaft and a link. The shaft extends distally from the housing and is configured to be operably coupled to an end effector. The link has a proximal end movably coupled to the nut and a distal end configured to selectively lock the end effector to the shaft assembly. The link is movable between a proximal non-locking position, and a distal locking position. The nut is movable between a first position along the drive member, in which the nut resists proximal movement of the link from the distal position to the proximal position, and a second position, in which the nut does not resist proximal movement of the link from the distal position to the proximal position.