Virtual Reality Feedback for Surgical Robotic Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of surgical robotic arms is complex and costly, with challenges in determining the final design without knowing if the robotic arm can reach and move within the surgical workspace effectively during procedures, necessitating early feedback for design optimization and error reduction.
Innovation Solution
A virtual reality feedback system using a processor and display to render a virtual surgical robot, allowing user input to modify its movement and configuration, providing immediate feedback on design and workflow analysis through simulation, which can modify kinematic data to improve the robotic system's reach and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical prototypes and mock-ups are used for testing surgical robotic arms, then design validation can be performed, but development costs and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of surgical robotic arms, surgical tools, and operating rooms through 3D modeling and simulation. These digital twins replicate the physical system's geometry, kinematics, and workflow, enabling design validation without physical prototypes. The virtual surgical robotic arm includes accurate representations of robotic arms, tools, and surgical site geometry, allowing comprehensive testing of reach, movement, and procedural workflows before manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs design validation and workflow analysis in advance through virtual simulation. By evaluating the surgical robotic arm's reach, movement capabilities, and compatibility with surgical workflows before physical construction, the system identifies design issues early in the development process. This preliminary virtual testing prevents costly redesigns and ensures design requirements are met before committing to physical manufacturing.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple physical prototypes are developed to test different design configurations, then design optimization is possible, but development costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtual prototyping system where design parameters such as robotic arm length, number of degrees of freedom, and tool configuration can be modified in real-time through software. This allows rapid iteration of design configurations without manufacturing new physical prototypes. The simulation updates the virtual model's kinematics and geometry automatically, enabling quick evaluation of multiple design options and optimization of manufacturing parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical mock-ups are used to evaluate workflow compatibility, then procedural requirements can be validated, but time and resources for physical setup increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtual simulation platform that can evaluate multiple surgical procedures, robotic arm configurations, and workflow scenarios within a single system. The virtual operating room simulation supports different surgical tools, robotic arm arrangements, and procedural workflows, allowing comprehensive workflow compatibility assessment without requiring separate physical mock-ups for each scenario. This multi-functional simulation environment accelerates the evaluation of adaptability across various surgical applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual surgical robot being built from kinematic data is rendered to a display. A user input is received to effect a movement or a configuration of the virtual surgical robot. The kinematic data is modified based on evaluation of the movement or the configuration of the virtual surgical robot.