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Robotics solutions and case studies

Improving the ergonomics of hand-held tools

Case study: Medical knee surgery robot

case study image

Improve precision and reduce risk

Improve precision and reduce risk

Reducing the scale of any intervention is a common aim in surgery, enabling the patient to recover more quickly. Miniature robotic tools can facilitate a reduction in the scope of the surgery. In addition, linking the position of the tool to a patient’s CT scans improves precision and reduces risk. Reducing the surgeon’s fatigue requires the minimization of the size of hand-held operat-ing tools. This manufacturer had the twin goals of reducing the weight of their hand-held robotic tool and improving its reliability. The key goals were:

  • Reduce size and weight of hand-held tool
  • Minimize interference with other equipment by reducing noise generated
  • Reliable solution required

Lightweight 24V conversion to drive motors and controls

Lightweight 24V conversion to drive motors and controls

Power for the tool came from a 55V medically isolated bus and required conversion to 24V within the tool to drive the motors and control circuitry. To save space and weight a DCM DC-DC converter was selected that provided the 300W required in a footprint of just 8.8 cm2 and a weight of only 24g. The converter featured a low noise switching topology and also provided isolation, helping to reduce EMI from the device. Key benefits were:

  • DCM offered high power density (1kW/in3) and low weight (24g)
  • Low noise topology provided isolation and reduced filtering required
  • DCM’s high level of integration significantly increased reliability

Vicor DCM DC-DC Converter reduces size of solution

A DCM DC-DC converter converted the 55V input to 24V 300W to drive the motor and control electronics. The high efficiency (91.3%) of the converter reduced waste heat in the tool, improving system reliability. To analyze this power chain go to the Vicor Whiteboard online tool.

Learn more about the modular approach power.

The power delivery network

Case study solution
DCM DC-DC converter

DCM DC-DC converters

Input: 9 – 420V

Output: 3.3, 5, 12, 13.8, 15, 24, 28, 36, 48V

Power: Up to 1300W

Efficiency: Up to 96%

As small as 24.8 x 22.8 x 7.21mm

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