Surgical Tool Guide Pivoting Mechanism for Prosthetic Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical robots face challenges in accurately positioning and aligning prosthetic components during hip replacement procedures due to limited visibility and access to the surgical site, leading to potential misalignment and improper implantation.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system comprising a first tool assembly with a coupler or receiver, a second tool assembly with a corresponding interface, a surgical robot, and a tool guide that allows the first tool assembly to pivot relative to the tool guide for alignment with the second tool assembly, facilitating precise positioning and alignment of prosthetic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a surgical robot is used to guide and position tools during hip replacement procedures, then the precision and control of prosthetic implantation is improved, but the complexity of the surgical system and difficulty of operation increase due to limited visibility and access to the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of prosthetic componentsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool assembly is divided into separate components: a first tool assembly attached to the surgical robot and a second tool assembly attached to the prosthetic component. These can be independently positioned and aligned, allowing the complex alignment task to be broken into manageable segments that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupler mechanism serves as an intermediary between the first tool assembly (robotic) and the second tool assembly (manual/prosthetic). This coupler facilitates precise alignment and connection between the two tool assemblies, enabling the surgical robot to accurately position the prosthetic component without requiring the entire system to be overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the surgical robot maintains a fixed trajectory for implanting the prosthetic cup, then the consistency and repeatability of the procedure is improved, but the adaptability to accommodate variations in surgical site access and visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory consistencyVSAvoidadaptability to surgical site variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows for dynamic adjustment during the surgical procedure. The first tool assembly can be repositioned and realigned multiple times before final implantation, and the coupler mechanism enables real-time adjustments to accommodate variations in surgical site access and visibility while maintaining the overall trajectory consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical trajectory is pre-planned and the surgical robot is positioned in advance according to the predetermined approach. This preliminary setup establishes the consistent trajectory framework, while still allowing for adaptive adjustments during the actual implantation process through the flexible tool assembly design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual alignment methods are used to position the impactor tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision and alignment accuracy of the prosthetic components deteriorates due to limited visibility and access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tool positioningVSAvoidalignment accuracy of prosthetic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges manual alignment techniques with robotic guidance. The surgical robot provides precise positioning and alignment information, while the surgeon maintains manual control over the tool assemblies. This combination leverages the precision of automation with the adaptability and ease of manual operation, achieving both accuracy and ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250152270A1Systems And Tools For Positioning Workpieces With Surgical Robots

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 MAKO SURGICAL CORP

AI summary

Surgical systems and methods for positioning a workpiece involve a first tool assembly including one of a coupler or a receiver, and a second tool assembly with an interface adapted to attach to the workpiece and including the other one of the coupler or the receiver. A tool guide is configured to mount to a surgical robot. The tool guide defines an aperture through which the first tool assembly is configured to extend. The tool guide is configured to support the first tool assembly and enable the first tool assembly to pivot relative to the tool guide to facilitate engagement between the coupler and receiver to align the first and second tool assemblies.