Surgical Robot Instrument Insulation Structure for HF Current Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments for surgical assist robots face risks of failures and malfunctions due to the flow of high frequency current from the instrument into the robot's sensor and control equipment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring a cable member, an outer shell, and insulating portions with a projecting and recessed configuration to lengthen the creeping distance, inhibiting current flow from the cable to the outer shell and reducing the risk of malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency current is supplied to the surgical instrument for incision and hemostasis, then the incision and hemostasis functions are achieved, but the current may flow into the surgical assist robot causing failures and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces insulating portions as intermediary elements between the cable member (carrying high frequency current) and the outer shell (connected to robot). These insulating portions act as mediators that prevent direct electrical contact, thereby blocking the harmful current flow path while allowing the surgical instrument to maintain its incision and hemostasis functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the insulating structure into multiple segments: a first insulating portion and a second insulating portion arranged in series between the cable member and outer shell. This segmentation provides multiple insulation barriers, ensuring that even if one insulating portion fails, the current still cannot flow into the robot, thereby enhancing reliability.
2Device complexity
If the cable member is directly connected to the outer shell, then the structure is simple, but the current can flow from the cable to the outer shell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the first insulating portion and second insulating portion are arranged concentrically or in series between the cable member and outer shell. The cable member is surrounded by the first insulating portion, which is in turn surrounded by or connected to the second insulating portion, creating a nested insulation system that effectively blocks current flow while maintaining a compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the insulation approach from a single-layer barrier to a multi-layer, multi-dimensional insulation system. By arranging insulating portions both radially (between cable and shell) and axially (first and second portions in series), the patent creates a three-dimensional insulation barrier that comprehensively blocks current flow paths without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 design effectively prevents current flow from the surgical instrument to the surgical assist robot, reducing the risk of failures and malfunctions in the robot's equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first insulating portion arranged in a part of a space between the cable member and the outer shell, wherein the first insulating portion is made of a material having a higher insulation property than the cable member and the outer shell; a second insulating portion arranged at a position, which exists between the cable member and the outer shell and which is adjacent to the first insulating portion
Implementation Method 2
a projecting portion projecting from a projecting insulating portion, which is one of the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion, toward a recessed insulating portion, which is the other, wherein the cable member is inserted into the projecting portion; a recessed portion formed in the recessed insulating portion, wherein the projecting portion is inserted into the recessed portion
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument of the present disclosure includes: a conductive cable member formed into a cable-like shape; a conductive outer shell covering a circumference of the cable member; first and second insulating portions made of materials having higher insulation properties than the cable member and the outer shell; a projecting portion projecting from a projecting insulating portion, which is one of the first and second insulating portions, toward a recessed insulating portion, which is the other, the cable member being inserted into the projecting portion; a conductive leading end portion separated from the recessed insulating portion and the outer shell, the leading end portion being bendable using tension of the cable member with an end portion connected thereto; and a power supply cable in a cable-like shape arranged inside the first and second insulating portions for supplying an electric power from outside to the leading end portion.