Surgical Robot Interface Structure for Sterile Instrument Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical robotic systems face challenges in quickly and easily exchanging instruments during operations while maintaining a sterile environment, as the robot arm is not initially sterilized and exchanging instruments can compromise the sterile barrier.
Innovation Solution
An interface structure that detachably connects surgical instruments to a surgical robot arm, featuring fasteners and alignment features to securely attach and detach instruments without compromising the sterile barrier, ensuring the interface structure remains attached to the robot arm during instrument exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instruments are detachably connected to the robot arm for easy exchange, then instrument exchange speed is improved, but the risk of compromising the sterile barrier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface structure serves as an intermediary component between the non-sterile robot arm and the sterile instrument. It includes a sterile adapter portion that attaches to the robot arm and a sterile instrument interface portion that receives the instrument. The sterile drape extends over the robot arm and through the interface structure, creating a continuous sterile barrier that allows instrument exchange without breaching sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface structure is divided into distinct segments: a sterile adapter portion that interfaces with the robot arm, and a sterile instrument interface portion that receives the instrument. This segmentation allows the sterile barrier to be maintained at the robot arm interface while enabling quick instrument attachment and detachment at the instrument interface portion.
2Loss of time
If the interface structure remains attached to the robot arm during instrument exchange, then exchange time is reduced, but the complexity of maintaining sterile barrier continuity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile drape is pre-positioned over the robot arm before instrument exchange begins. The interface structure is pre-configured with the sterile adapter portion attached to the robot arm and the sterile instrument interface portion ready to receive instruments. This preliminary setup allows instruments to be exchanged quickly without needing to re-establish the sterile barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface structure acts as a fixed intermediary that remains attached to the robot arm throughout the procedure. It provides a stable interface where sterile instruments can be attached and detached without moving the sterile barrier, simplifying the maintenance of sterility while enabling rapid exchanges.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm, wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.