Surgical Instrument Adaptor Guide Groove Width Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments attached to robotic surgical systems face difficulties in achieving both easy attachment and detachment, as well as stable fixation, due to varying engagement forces between tabs and retaining members.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument design includes a base body with adjustable guide grooves and movable members that allow for variable groove widths, enabling easy attachment and detachment by sliding along guide rails, while ensuring stable fixation by adjusting the groove widths for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement force between tabs and retaining member is increased to ensure stable fixing, then the reliability of fixation is improved, but the ease of detachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove width is made dynamically adjustable through movable members that can shift the groove width between a first width (for easy attachment) and a second width (for stable fixation). This dynamic adjustment allows the same structure to provide both easy detachment and reliable fixation at different stages of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of guide groove width is changed to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the groove width parameter, the system transitions between two states: a wider groove facilitates easy attachment and detachment, while a narrower groove provides stronger engagement and stable fixation. The movable members enable this parameter change on demand.
2Ease of operation
If the engagement force between tabs and retaining member is decreased to ease detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the guide groove width to provide different engagement characteristics. During attachment, the groove width is increased to facilitate easy insertion. During operation, the groove width is decreased to provide strong fixation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of detachment and reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement characteristic is controlled by changing the guide groove width parameter. A larger groove width allows easier movement and detachment, while a smaller groove width provides tighter engagement and more reliable fixation. The movable members enable this parameter transition based on operational requirements.
3Device complexity
If a fixed groove width is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different engagement force requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using completely different structures for different engagement requirements, the invention employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that modifies the guide groove width. This allows a single adaptable structure to replace multiple fixed structures, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove structure with movable members serves multiple functions: it facilitates easy attachment when the groove is wide, provides stable fixation when the groove is narrow, and guides the alignment process. This multi-functional design allows one structure to handle different engagement force requirements, improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument according to an embodiment may include: a base body including an attachment surface for the adaptor; a surgical tool; driven members rotatably provided on the base body; a housing covering the driven members; and first and second movable members movable with respect to the housing and the base body. The attachment surface of the base body includes a first guide groove and a second guide groove that slidably receive a first guide rail and a second guide rail provided on the adaptor respectively. The first and second guide grooves are defined by the base body and the first and second movable members such that groove widths of the first and second guide grooves are variable by moving the first and second movable members with respect to the base body.