Universal joint aids keyhole surgery
A
Belden product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 4, 2007
The Radius Surgical System provides the freedom to operate without the complexity of electromechanical robotic devices.
Belden has developed a miniaturised universal joint for a surgical tool used in minimally invasive surgery.
The surgical manual manipulator system required a joint to transmit the power from the handle to the connecting shaft.
Tuebingen Scientific Medical is a medical device company specialising in instrumentation for minimally invasive surgery.
The surgical systems fill in the gap between conventional surgical instruments and surgical robotics.
While conventional instrumentation does not meet the requirements of advanced endoscopic surgeons, robotic systems are too complex and costly for routine use.
Tuebingen's Radius Surgical System provides the freedom to operate without the complexity of electromechanical robotic devices.
The surgical system has been designed to improve endoscopic suturing and other surgical manoeuvres and can be used for a wide variety of surgical procedures in different clinical specialties.
The surgical system consists of two hand-guided surgical manipulators.
Depending on the surgical task, graspers, scissors, needle holders and other devices can be attached to the tip and changeover only takes a few seconds.
The system required a universal joint to transmit the power from the handle, which acts as a natural extension that emulates the movement of the hand, to the connecting shaft.
The joint itself has an outside diameter of 8mm to accommodate the space limitations of the surgical tool.
A deflectable and rotable tip provides all degrees of handling freedom.
During design development, the customer requested a specialised hub configuration to ensure a secure connection and precise operation.
Belden made modifications to the standard universal joint concept and delivered prototypes for testing.
The final design now incorporates the universal joint and a component of the internal extension as a single piece, which was originally done as two separate pieces.
To adhere to the sterilisation regulations required by the medical industry, the universal joint was manufactured in stainless steel.
The miniature universal joints are suitable not only for medical equipment but for also many other applications in which space is restricted, including miniature machinery and model making.
Originally developed in stainless steel for the manual operating device, Belden's miniature joints are available in alloy steel, with or without plating, and a variety of stainless steel grades to fit any application.
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