Uterine Manipulator Positioning With Remote Arcuate Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uterine manipulators require manual adjustment during surgical procedures, disrupting the workflow and complicating the process when adjustments are made by assistants without visual guidance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device with a support component and an adjustment unit that allows for remote control of uterine manipulator positioning, enabling arcuate and rotational movements, secured to a uterine positioning system, facilitating precise and uninterrupted adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of the uterine manipulator is performed during surgery, then the manipulator position can be changed, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service adjustment capability to the surgeon through the robotic interface. The manipulator can be repositioned by activating a repositioning mode that grants direct control to the surgeon's input devices, eliminating the need to leave the workstation or rely on assistants.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic control system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the manipulator. Instead of direct manual manipulation requiring physical presence at the manipulator, the surgeon controls it remotely through the robotic interface, maintaining workflow continuity while enabling adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If an assistant performs the adjustment, then the manipulator position can be changed, but the adjustment is blind and based only on verbal instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback through the robotic interface, allowing the surgeon to directly observe the manipulator's position and make precise adjustments. The feedback loop includes visual confirmation of manipulator location and orientation, enabling accurate positioning without blind adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic control system serves as an intermediary that translates the surgeon's precise input device movements into accurate manipulator repositioning. This intermediary ensures that the intended positional changes are executed precisely, eliminating the imprecision of verbal instructions to assistants.
3Ease of operation
If the surgeon leaves the workstation to reposition the manipulator, then direct manual adjustment is possible, but the procedure is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The surgeon maintains self-service control of the manipulator throughout the procedure by using the robotic interface. The ability to initiate repositioning mode and control the manipulator directly from the workstation eliminates the need to leave the surgical console, keeping the surgeon continuously engaged in the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic control system acts as an intermediary that enables direct manipulator control from the workstation. This intermediary allows the surgeon to maintain physical presence at the control station while still having hands-on control of the manipulator, preventing procedural interruptions.
4Productivity
If remote control capability is added to the adjustment device, then the surgeon can control positioning without leaving the workstation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic control system provides multi-functionality by serving both as the primary control interface for surgical operations and as the remote control mechanism for manipulator repositioning. This universal interface eliminates the need for separate remote control hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the adjustment control functions into the existing robotic control architecture. By combining the manipulator repositioning capability with the surgical control interface, the system avoids adding separate remote control devices, thereby minimizing complexity increases while achieving improved productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustment device for positioning a uterine manipulator includes a support component that is movable along an arcuate path defined by the adjustment device and an adjustment unit. The adjustment unit includes a base component that is secured to the support component and a rotational element that is secured to the base component and to the uterine manipulator such that the rotational element and the uterine manipulator secured thereto are movable along the arcuate path and rotatable with respect to the support component. A positioning system includes the adjustment device and a positioning arm that supports the adjustment device for positioning a uterine manipulator.