Trolley Locking Unit for Robotic Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior trolleys for washing and disinfecting robotic surgical instruments face issues such as complex and expensive individual locking systems, labor-intensive operation, structural and functional drawbacks like degree of freedom in nozzle positioning, geometric constraints, and limited design flexibility, which affect the reliability and versatility of the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A trolley with a locking system featuring a rotating locking unit that moves in a plane parallel to the brackets, utilizing a guide shaped like a J and an engagement plate performing a rototranslation movement, ensuring complete locking without axial displacement, and accommodating instruments with irrigation ports on both the front and top sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual locking is implemented for each instrument, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single centralized locking unit that can simultaneously lock all instruments connected to the manifold. This single locking unit integrates the functionality of multiple individual locks, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable locking of all instruments through a unified mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle various instrument types and configurations through a single device. It can lock instruments with different irrigation port positions (front or top) and accommodate multiple nozzle arrangements, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms for each instrument type.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual locking is implemented for each instrument, then the locking precision is improved, but the time required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking operations into a single simultaneous action. The centralized locking unit enables all instruments to be locked at the same time through one operation, eliminating the sequential time required for individual locking while maintaining precise engagement through the unified locking mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If rotation around a fixed axis is used for locking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different instrument positions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit incorporates dynamic movement capabilities with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to adapt to different instrument positions. The unit can rotate and translate along guided paths to engage with instruments regardless of whether their irrigation ports are positioned at the front or top, maintaining ease of operation while increasing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit moves from simple rotation around a fixed axis to a more complex motion that includes translation along multiple axes. This dimensional expansion allows the locking unit to reach and engage instruments with various port positions, accommodating both front-mounted and top-mounted irrigation ports through multi-axis movement.
4Ease of manufacture
If axial displacement is used for engagement, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the harmful factors such as friction and transverse force increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit employs dynamic movement along guided paths that combine rotation and translation, eliminating the need for pure axial displacement. This dynamic engagement reduces friction between the locking unit and instrument components, and the guided motion prevents generation of harmful transverse forces that could damage nozzles or insertion seats.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A trolley for a machine for washing and disinfecting robotic surgical instruments (R) includes a manifold (1) equipped with flexible washing tubes provided with end nozzles (2) and a support (4) with seats for said robotic surgical instruments (R) which is provided with a system (5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for the simultaneous locking of all the instruments (R) placed in said seats.