Surgical Robot Arm Cooling via Sterile Drape Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical robot arms generate heat during operation, which can exceed safe temperature limits for operator contact, especially when shrouded in drapes, and existing cooling methods are not efficient or convenient.

Innovation Solution

A cooling structure comprising a loop that circumscribes the surgical robot arm with orifices to direct cooling fluid towards the arm, along with a feeder conduit and biasing projections to maintain arm movement freedom, is implemented. This structure can be integrated into a sterile drape for easy setup and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the robot arm is shrouded in a drape during surgery, then sterility is maintained, but heat generated by motors is retained causing surface temperature to increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidrobot arm surface temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling fluid circulates through channels in the drape material, acting as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the robot arm surface and the external environment. The cooling fluid absorbs heat from the robot arm through the drape while maintaining the sterile barrier, thereby reducing surface temperature without compromising sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic circulation of cooling fluid through embedded channels in the drape. The fluid is pumped through the drape structure, enabling active thermal management of the robot arm surface while the drape maintains the sterile field during surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If cooling apparatus is added to the robot arm, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity and obstruction to operating theatre staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot arm surface temperatureVSAvoidcooling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling structure is integrated into a flexible drape that can be draped over the robot arm. The thin-film construction with embedded cooling channels provides cooling functionality while maintaining flexibility and minimal obstruction to surgical staff movements and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The drape serves multiple functions simultaneously: maintaining sterility, providing cooling, and allowing operator access. The universal design integrates these functions into a single component that can be applied to different robot arm configurations without requiring separate dedicated cooling devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If cooling fluid is directed towards the robot arm through orifices, then cooling efficiency is improved, but risk of contaminating sterile field increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsterile field contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drape material serves as a sterile intermediary barrier between the non-sterile cooling fluid supply and the sterile surgical field. Cooling fluid is delivered through sealed channels within the drape structure, allowing heat transfer to the robot arm while preventing direct contact between the fluid and the sterile field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drape with integrated cooling channels can be designed as a disposable component. After use, the entire drape assembly is discarded, eliminating the need for complex sterilization of the cooling fluid delivery system and ensuring sterility for each surgical procedure without requiring reusable components to be sterilized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 cooling structure effectively maintains the robot arm's surface temperature within safe limits during prolonged operations and intense manipulation, ensuring operator safety without hindering the robot's functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a loop for circumscribing the surgical robot arm, the loop comprising: a hollow interior for feeding cooling fluid through the loop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a series of orifices directed towards the surgical robot arm for feeding cooling fluid from the loop towards the surgical robot arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10881471B2Cooling a surgical robot arm

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 CMR SURGICAL LTD

AI summary

A cooling structure and a method of cooling a surgical robot arm. The surgical robot arm extends from a proximal end attached to a base to a distal end attachable to a surgical instrument via a series of links interspersed by articulations. The cooling structure comprises a loop for circumscribing the surgical robot arm. The loop comprises a hollow interior for feeding cooling fluid through the loop, and a series of orifices directed towards the surgical robot arm for feeding cooling fluid from the loop towards the surgical robot arm. The cooling structure further comprises a feeder conduit attached to the loop for feeding cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source to the loop.