Design a quick connector for endoscopic surgical robots

• Main Author: Chua, Nicholas Ming Hao
• Other Authors: Phee Soo Jay, Louis
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Surgical robotics; Robotics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176711
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report is written for the Final Year Project A130, titled “Design a Quick Connector for Endoscopic Surgical Robots”. It provides a comprehensive overview of prototype development of a quick connector for a novel surgical robot system. At this stage, a one Degree of Freedom (DOF) motion study is mainly discussed for the proposed connector. As each DOF is controlled by two motors, to include additional motors enables the extension of the connector for instruments with multiple DOFs. Engineering design concepts and calculations that culminated in the development of the prototype are presented in this report, followed by a comprehensive discussion of the motor communication and programming aspect. Finally, experimental results validating the functionality and reliability of the quick connector prototype was evaluated. This project sets the stage for future advancements towards the completeness of the novel surgical robot system. By devising a quick connector, it hopes to enhance efficiency and workflow of robotic surgical procedures by addressing the challenges faced by time-consuming manual instrument exchange. The outcomes are anticipated to contribute to the ongoing evolution of surgical robotics, with an emphasis on efficiency, reliability, and patient safety.