Visual Indicators for Robotic Medical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic medical systems lack effective functional indicators to communicate state and identity information, posing challenges in safety and operational efficiency during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating visual and audible indicators, such as light strips and speakers, positioned on adjustable arm supports and patient platforms, to provide state and identity information about the robotic system and its components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robotic medical systems operate without functional indicators, then the system structure remains simple, but safety and operational efficiency deteriorate due to lack of state and identity information communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indicators using different colors (e.g., green for ready state, yellow for moving state, red for error state) to communicate system status. This resolves the contradiction by providing clear safety information through color-coded visual feedback without requiring complex communication interfaces or additional operational procedures.
2Loss of information
If visual and audible indicators are added to robotic medical systems, then safety and information communication improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into single indicator components. For example, visual indicators serve both as state indicators and identity identifiers for different robotic arms. Audible indicators provide both movement warnings and system status notifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each information type, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving information communication.
3Productivity
If indicators are positioned on adjustable arm supports and patient platforms, then operational efficiency improves through better information visibility, but the complexity of positioning and mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions indicators on adjustable arm supports and patient platforms that can move between stowed and deployed positions. The indicators dynamically follow these components, maintaining optimal visibility regardless of position. This dynamic positioning approach improves operational efficiency by ensuring continuous information visibility without requiring complex fixed mounting structures or multiple static indicator locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances safety by notifying users of impending movements and identifying robotic components, improving operational efficiency by providing clear information about system states and component identities.
Implementation Method 1
The visual indicator comprises a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic medical system can include a patient platform configured to support a patient during a robotic medical procedure, a column supporting the patient platform, and an arm support coupled to the column with at least one robotic arm coupled to the arm support. The system can also include an indicator positioned on at least one of the arm support and the patient platform, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate state or identity information of the system. The indicator can be a visual indicator.