Sterile Adapter Latch for Contamination-Free Surgical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive surgical procedures, maintaining a sterile environment is challenging due to the need to frequently attach and detach surgical instruments from teleoperated actuators, which often involves non-sterilizable motors, sensors, and electrical connections, and limited instrument holders lead to contamination risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A sterile drape system with an instrument sterile adapter (ISA) and latch mechanism that securely attaches and detaches surgical instruments from teleoperated actuators, ensuring a sterile coupling point and allowing quick instrument exchanges while preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical instruments are frequently attached and detached from teleoperated actuators, then instrument versatility and adaptability are improved, but the risk of contamination increases and sterility reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into sterile and non-sterile zones using a sterile adapter and drape. The sterile adapter interface separates the instrument holder (sterile side) from the actuator (non-sterile side), allowing independent handling of each zone. This segmentation enables instrument exchanges on the sterile side without exposing the non-sterile actuator components to contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile adapter acts as an intermediary component between the instrument and the actuator. It provides a sterile interface that mechanically couples the instrument holder to the actuator while maintaining the sterile barrier. The drape serves as another intermediary layer that physically isolates the actuator from the sterile surgical field.
2Extent of automation
If teleoperated actuators include motors, sensors, and electrical connections, then control precision and automation are improved, but the ability to sterilize the actuator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator with its non-sterilizable electronic components is extracted from the sterile zone and placed in a non-sterile zone. The sterile adapter and drape create a physical separation that allows the actuator to remain outside the sterile field while still providing automated control through the sterile interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sterile drape is used to create a physical barrier that envelops the actuator and sterile adapter assembly. This thin film barrier allows the actuator to remain in a non-sterile environment while maintaining sterility in the surgical field, enabling automated control without compromising sterilization requirements.
3Reliability
If the latch mechanism provides secure attachment, then connection reliability is improved, but the complexity of the coupling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the instrument is inserted into the holder. The spring-loaded latch arm automatically snaps into the locked position upon proper insertion, providing secure attachment without requiring manual operation or complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument sterile adapter couples a surgical instrument and an instrument carriage. The instrument sterile adapter includes an instrument plate that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument and a latch plate joined to the instrument plate. The latch plate includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate and an instrument latch arm joined to the carriage latch arm. The instrument latch arm extends through the instrument plate and away from the first surface of the instrument plate. A connecting member flexibly connects the carriage latch arm and the instrument latch arm to a remainder of the latch plate. The connecting member may be perpendicular to the latch arms. The latch arms may engage fixed locking surfaces in the instrument carriage and the surgical instrument.