Suspension Disc Positioning for Rapid Surgical Robot Arm Docking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical robots require complicated and time-consuming orientation adjustments of robot arms, which prolong surgical procedures due to limitations in quick positioning and interference between robot arms on stationary platforms or single rotatable suspensions.

Innovation Solution

A suspension disc positioning mechanism with at least two primary suspension discs rotatable about a single primary rotating shaft, allowing multiple robot arms to be quickly adjusted to desired positions, with optional sub-suspension discs for further fine adjustments, and incorporating limiting mechanisms to maintain a minimum angle between discs for interference prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple robot arms are mounted on a stationary platform with one-by-one adjustment, then each robot arm can be independently positioned, but the positioning process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent positioning of robot armsVSAvoidTime for orientation adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple robot arms onto a single rotatable suspension disc, allowing all arms to be positioned simultaneously by rotating the entire disc. This combines the independent positioning capability with group adjustment, eliminating the time-consuming one-by-one adjustment process while maintaining the ability to independently control each arm's orientation through the shared rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension disc serves as a universal mounting platform that can accommodate multiple robot arms with different functions. The single rotatable disc provides a common basis for positioning all arms, while individual arms can still be independently adjusted through additional mechanisms, making the system multi-functional and efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If a single rotatable suspension is used for collective adjustment of multiple robot arms, then quick adjustment is enabled, but initial orientations of individual robot arms cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTime for adjustmentVSAvoidIndividual arm orientation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the suspension system into a main rotatable suspension disc and individual adjustable components for each robot arm. This segmentation allows the entire system to be quickly rotated to rough positions, while individual arms can then be independently adjusted to their precise initial orientations through separate mechanisms attached to each arm or the disc.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If robot arms are positioned on a stationary platform, then stable positioning is achieved, but working space is limited and mutual interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePositioning stabilityVSAvoidWorking space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotatable suspension disc that transforms the stationary platform into a dynamic positioning system. The disc can rotate to different angular positions, allowing the robot arms to access different working spaces while maintaining stable positioning during operations. This dynamic capability expands the effective working space without compromising positioning stability, as the disc maintains its rotational axis and provides a consistent mounting basis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4215146B1Suspension disc positioning mechanism and surgical robot
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SHANGHAI MICROPORT MEDBOT (GRP) CO LTD
  • EP4215146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4215146B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4215146B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5b

AI summary

A suspension disc positioning mechanism (10) and a surgical robot (1) are disclosed. The suspension disc positioning mechanism (10) includes at least two primary suspension discs (100) both rotatably attached to a suspension end around a single primary rotating shaft (A1). Each of the primary suspension discs (100) is configured for attachment of at least one robot arm (11) thereto. With this arrangement, the at least two primary suspension discs (100) are rotatably attached to the suspension end around the same primary rotating shaft (A1) and each allow attachment of at least one robot arm (11) thereto. In this way, by means of the primary suspension discs (100), multiple robot arms (11) can be quickly adjusted to desired positions in one pass, enabling quick docking of the robot arms (11). In addition, through providing at least two separate primary suspension discs (100), each of the robot arms (11) on the primary suspension discs (100) has a larger space for adjustment and an expanded working space.