Surgical Tool Coupler for Robotic Spinal Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal surgical tools are not easily compatible with robotic systems, making it difficult to integrate them for minimally invasive surgery and subsequent dismantling.
Innovation Solution
A coupler with a housing and door, featuring mating structures and a robotic interface, allows for secure coupling and decoupling of surgical tools to and from a robotic system, such as a robotic arm, facilitating easy integration and use with robotic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spinal surgical tools are directly integrated into robotic systems, then precision and control are improved, but compatibility and ease of integration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler acts as an intermediary device between the spinal surgical tool and the robotic system. It includes a robotic interface that connects to the robotic arm and a tool interface that connects to the surgical tool, thereby enabling compatibility without modifying the original tool or robotic system. The coupler housing with door and mating structures provides a standardized interface that bridges the two systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate different spinal surgical tools while maintaining compatibility with the robotic system. The standardized robotic interface and tool interface allow the same coupler to work with various surgical tools, enhancing versatility and ease of integration across different surgical applications.
2Ease of operation
If spinal surgical tools are directly integrated into robotic systems, then control is improved, but ease of dismantling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct modular components: the robotic interface, the coupler housing, and the tool interface. This segmentation allows the surgical tool to be easily detached from the robotic system by simply removing the coupler, without requiring complex disassembly procedures. The door with mating structures provides a straightforward mechanical connection that can be quickly engaged and disengaged.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coupler with door and mating structures is used, then ease of integration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the housing provides structural support, the door provides access and connection, and the mating structures provide mechanical coupling. By merging these elements into one coupler unit rather than separate components, the system achieves ease of integration without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool coupler (10) includes a housing (12) with a door (14). The door (14) and housing (12) include mating structures (18, 20) that mate with each other when the door (14) is closed. The housing (12) includes a robotic interface (26) which is connectable to a portion of a robotic surgery system (28).