Surgical Robot Connection Structure for Gap-Free Stable Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing connections between surgical instrument drives and sterile adapters in surgical robots are prone to gaps, uneven force, unstable engagement, vibration, and tipping due to the elasticity of engaging members, affecting the stability and reliability of the system.

Innovation Solution

A structure for connecting an instrument drive to a sterile adapter and a surgical instrument using moveable engaging members that engage through horizontal movement, with resilient components providing forces to ensure tight and stable engagement, preventing gaps and tipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If engaging members are connected by relative rotation due to elasticity, then the engaging members can be easily assembled and disassembled, but gaps between joint surfaces result in uneven force, unstable engagement, vibration, and tipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidengagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging members are designed to move dynamically during assembly and disassembly operations. The moveable engaging members can shift position to engage with or detach from the fixed engaging members, enabling easy operation while maintaining stable engagement through controlled movement rather than elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is divided into fixed engaging members and moveable engaging members as separate functional segments. This segmentation allows the fixed members to provide stable anchor points while the moveable members handle the dynamic engagement and disengagement actions, preventing gaps and uneven force distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If engaging members rely on elasticity for engagement, then the structure can be simple and compact, but the engagement becomes unstable and prone to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidengagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than relying on elastic deformation for engagement, the design uses controlled dynamic movement of the moveable engaging members along defined paths. This dynamic approach maintains structural simplicity while achieving stable engagement through precise positional control rather than material elasticity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable engaging members act as intermediaries between the fixed engaging members and the connected components. They transfer and distribute forces evenly through their movement, preventing the gaps and uneven force that would occur with direct elastic engagement, thereby reducing vibration and improving stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enhances the tightness and stability of the engagement between the instrument drive and sterile adapter, improving the overall reliability and stability of the surgical robot system.

Implementation Method 1

one or more resilient components, each moveable component is moveable relative to the adapter body to move the one set of moveable engaging members between the engagement position and the detachment position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4360582B1Connecting structures and surgical robot
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 CORNERSTONE TECH (SHENZHEN) LTD
  • EP4360582B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4360582B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4360582B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a structure for connecting an instrument drive to a sterile adapter, a structure for connecting a sterile adapter to a surgical instrument, and a surgical robot. The instrument drive has a surface on which a plurality of drive fixed engaging members are provided, and the sterile adapter is connected to the instrument drive. The sterile adapter includes an adapter body and an adapter connecting assembly provided at the adapter body and configured to fix the adapter body to instrument drive. The plurality of drive fixed engaging members at least partially extend into the adapter body. The adapter connecting assembly includes a plurality of moveable engaging members cooperating with the plurality of drive fixed engaging members, each moveable engaging member is moveable between an engagement position where the moveable engaging member is engaged with a respective one of the plurality of drive fixed engaging members and a detachment position where the moveable engaging member is detached from the respective drive fixed engaging member, and each of the plurality of moveable engaging members has a movement path parallel to a surface of the instrument drive.