Wireless Communication in Robotic Surgical Manipulator Insertion Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic surgical systems face issues with electrical cables causing malfunctions due to small clearances, electrical noise, mechanical fatigue, and mechanical hazards, as well as the need for power and data transmission across a sterile barrier, which compromises system robustness and patient safety.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication and power supply system using a telescopic insertion axis with a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver, allowing data transmission between a main printed circuit assembly and a remote one, eliminating the need for electrical wires and creating a barrier against leakage currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical cables are used to provide power and data signals between components, then power and data transmission is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates due to small clearances, electrical noise, mechanical fatigue, and mechanical hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes electrical cables from the insertion axis, separating the power and data transmission functions from the mechanical structure. This eliminates the harmful effects of cables on system reliability while maintaining the necessary transmission functions through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical cable system with a wireless or contactless power and data transmission system. This substitution eliminates mechanical fatigue, small clearance issues, and electrical noise problems associated with physical cable connections in the telescopic insertion axis.
2Ease of operation
If electrical cables are routed through the insertion axis, then power and data transmission is enabled, but device complexity increases due to cable management and sterile barrier requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrical cables from the insertion axis, eliminating the complex cable routing requirements and sterile barrier penetration needs. This simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining power and data transmission capabilities through alternative methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless or contactless transmission system that bridges the sterile barrier without requiring physical cable penetration. This mediator enables power and data transmission while maintaining sterile field integrity and reducing structural complexity.
3Reliability
If electrical cables are used for power and data transmission, then connectivity is achieved, but patient safety deteriorates due to risk of leakage currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts electrical cables from the insertion axis that penetrate the sterile barrier, removing the source of leakage current risks. This eliminates the harmful electrical effects while maintaining necessary connectivity through safe alternative transmission methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical cable-based power and data transmission system with a wireless or contactless system. This substitution eliminates the risk of leakage currents while maintaining functional connectivity, thereby improving patient safety.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an insertion axis of a robotic manipulator is provided, the insertion axis including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main printed circuit assembly external to the insertion axis. A robotic surgical system including such an insertion axis and a method for wireless communication in the system are also provided.