Teleoperated Surgical Component Storage for Sterile Functional Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack effective methods for sterilizing and storing teleoperated surgical components while maintaining sterility and functionality, and there is a need for determining the operational status of these components without compromising sterility.

Innovation Solution

A reclosable storage container with a sterile interior environment is used to sterilize and store teleoperated surgical components, allowing communication and testing of these components without opening the container, ensuring sterility and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If teleoperated surgical components are sterilized using conventional methods, then sterility is achieved, but functional testing cannot be performed without compromising sterility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidfunctional testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the testing and sterilization functions into separate modules: a sterile storage container that maintains sterility and a separate testing interface that communicates through the container wall, allowing functional verification without compromising the sterile barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile storage container wall acts as an intermediary that transmits test signals from the external testing interface to the sterilized component inside, enabling functional testing while maintaining the sterile barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If teleoperated components are tested before sterilization, then functionality is verified, but sterility cannot be ensured for surgical use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional testingVSAvoidsterility assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs functional testing as a preliminary action before sterilization by placing the component in the sterile storage container and testing it through the container wall, allowing verification of functionality before the component enters the sterile field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If teleoperated components are sterilized individually, then sterility is achieved, but time is lost in repeated sterilization cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidsterilization cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple components into a single sterile storage container, allowing them to be sterilized together in one cycle rather than individually, significantly reducing the total time required while maintaining sterility of all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3866717B1System for sterilization and storage of a sterilized teleoperated component

Publication Date: 2025.07.02 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

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AI summary

A system is provided including a reclosable storage container comprising an interior sterile environment. The system also includes a sterile teleoperated component of a teleoperated surgical manipulator assembly in the interior sterile environment. A communications interface enables communication between a device outside the storage container and the component inside the storage container. A viewing window allows the stored component to be seen through the storage container. Multiple storage containers can be moved and stored. In an operating room, the storage container is opened, and the component is removed and assembled into the teleoperated surgical assembly.