Surgical Instrument Usage Tracking for Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments with limited reuse life remain functional beyond their clinical expiration, posing a challenge for safe and effective utilization, as they are expensive and have limited usability, necessitating innovative methods to extend their useful life for training and demonstration purposes without compromising patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robotic system that tracks usage data to enable or disable instruments based on pre-determined thresholds, allowing for training or demonstration modes, which derate instrument performance to extend its usable life by reducing power and mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If surgical instruments are used beyond their clinical expiration threshold, then instrument reuse is extended, but patient safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operational status of the instrument based on usage data. The controller monitors cumulative usage parameters (number of uses, total force, total torque, time used) and automatically transitions the instrument between enabled and disabled states, or between surgical mode and training mode, to resolve the contradiction between extending usable life and maintaining patient safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on usage thresholds. When usage data exceeds pre-determined thresholds, the controller modifies the instrument's operational parameters by disabling surgical use or limiting it to training mode with derated performance, thereby extending the instrument's useful life while maintaining safety through parameter adjustment
2Reliability
If surgical instruments are disposed of after expiration, then patient safety is ensured, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding instruments after their surgical expiration, the system recovers them for alternative uses. The controller enables the instrument for training and demonstration modes after surgical use is disabled, extending the instrument's lifecycle and reducing waste while maintaining safety through mode-specific operational limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables instruments to serve multiple functions throughout their lifecycle. Instruments transition from surgical procedures to training and demonstration uses, maximizing their utility. The controller manages different operational modes (surgical mode, training mode, disabled) to ensure the instrument serves appropriate functions based on its usage history
3Productivity
If instruments operate at full performance, then surgical effectiveness is maximized, but instrument lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring and evaluation of instrument usage. The controller periodically checks usage data against thresholds and adjusts operational mode accordingly, allowing full performance during acceptable usage periods and transitioning to derated performance or disablement when thresholds are exceeded, thereby extending lifespan while maintaining effectiveness during valid operational periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes performance parameters based on accumulated usage data. When usage thresholds are approached, the controller derates instrument performance by reducing clamp forces, stiffness in articulation degrees of freedom, and accelerations, thereby extending the instrument's operational lifespan while maintaining adequate functionality for training and demonstration
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical robotic system includes a surgical instrument and a robotic arm having an instrument drive unit configured to couple to and to actuate the surgical instrument. The system also includes a controller configured to: access usage data pertaining the surgical instrument; select an instrument operational mode for the surgical instrument based the usage data, the instrument operational mode being one of a surgical mode or a training mode; and enable use of the surgical instrument based on the selected instrument operational mode.