US20110178531A1 - Control portion of and device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument - Google Patents
Control portion of and device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument Download PDFInfo
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- US20110178531A1 US20110178531A1 US12/869,734 US86973410A US2011178531A1 US 20110178531 A1 US20110178531 A1 US 20110178531A1 US 86973410 A US86973410 A US 86973410A US 2011178531 A1 US2011178531 A1 US 2011178531A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
- A61B34/30—Surgical robots
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
- A61B34/30—Surgical robots
- A61B34/37—Master-slave robots
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
- A61B34/70—Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
- A61B34/76—Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B2017/0042—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets with special provisions for gripping
- A61B2017/00442—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets with special provisions for gripping connectable to wrist or forearm
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B2017/00535—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated
- A61B2017/00539—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated hydraulically
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- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
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Abstract
A control portion of a remotely controlled surgical device comprises a first set of controls, a second set of controls, and a function control mechanism. The first set of controls is configured for receiving motion from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more macro motion control signals for controlling one or more macro motions associated with an articulating surgical instrument. The second set of controls is configured for receiving motion from the human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more micro motion control signals for controlling one or more micro motions of the articulating surgical instrument. The function control mechanism is configured for receiving a function control input from a user of the control portion. The function control input is for controlling a function associated with the remotely controlled surgical device.
Description
- This application claims priority to the co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/237,042, entitled “Articulated Surgical Tool,” filed on Aug. 26, 2009, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The instant application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, entitled “Remotely Controlled Surgical Device and Control Thereof,” with attorney docket number ______, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. To the extent not repeated herein, the contents of this related patent application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The instant application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, entitled “Remotely Controlling an Articulating Surgical Instrument,” with attorney docket number ______, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. To the extent not repeated herein, the contents of this related patent application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- Hydraulic systems for applications in laparoscopic surgical tools, as well as tools for other surgical procedures, are known. Current laparoscopic surgical instruments typically have considerable limitations, however, including difficulties in accessing portions of the body obstructed by organs or other objects, difficulties in sterilizing all or portions of such tools, and difficulties in ease of use. Further, while such existing laparoscopic surgical instruments can perform invasive surgical procedures, the instruments are often awkward to manipulate and have problems performing complicated movements often necessary in surgery. In particular, such instruments can be difficult to manipulate around corners, obstacles and to use in obstructed or otherwise difficult to reach environments.
- In addition, existing laparoscopic surgical instruments may either have a fairly limited range of motion and/or are not capable of performing certain sophisticated and delicate operations or motions with precision. Further, such instruments may also be fairly limited in their flexibility to accommodate unexpected or unanticipated motion. Also, existing laparoscopic surgical instruments often lack an intuitive connection between motion initiated by the user in the control portion of the device and corresponding motion actuated remotely in the slave portion of the device.
- Moreover, existing laparoscopic surgical instruments typically use cables and hydraulic lines to manipulate the surgical tip of the instruments. The hydraulics often require the use of special hydraulic fluid that is not necessarily amenable to surgical environments or other special environments. For example, the use of conventional hydraulic oils in surgical environments is ill-advised and may create an assortment of hazards, especially if the system leaks or the hydraulic conduits are prone to rupture. While more medically compatible hydraulic fluid may be used (e.g., water, mineral oils, etc.), such fluid tends to evaporate at a significant rate. Monitoring and replenishing such fluid manually can be costly and labor intensive. Further, the consequences of not being vigilant concerning fluid levels could be severe, particularly in a surgical environment.
- In addition, the tools used by the device can be expensive and difficult to clean and sterilize. Since the cleaning and sterilization procedure must be performed after each use, any expense incurred can substantially add to the cost of use of the device. Alternatively, if disposable tools are used, the need for their continual replacement can add to the cost of the overall system. Also, disposable tools may be made from less robust materials as those meant for multiple uses, leading to increased potential for problems due to equipment malfunction and/or fracture.
- Moreover, laparoscopic surgical instruments using cables and hydraulic lines to remotely manipulate the surgical tip of the instruments can be vulnerable to accidental misuse or user overcompensation sometimes due to a lack of direct tactile feedback. This danger is especially significant when the apparatus is not in deliberate use (e.g., when the device is dormant during a critical portion of surgery where other equipment is being used), is being serviced/stored or is not being operated by a skilled practitioner. Inadvertent and potentially damaging maneuvers are possible, for example, when the device is moved in between operating theaters or when routine maintenance is being performed. In particular, problems can arise when a user moves a control for a laparoscopic surgical device in such a way that can cause damage either to the device itself, to ancillary devices and/or to the patient.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the subject matter, and together with the description of embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the subject matter. Unless noted, the drawings referred to in this brief description of drawings should be understood as not being drawn to scale.
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FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of one aspect of an example device for remotely controlling an instrument or tool in a work environment, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 1B is a slave end view of one aspect of a manually-actuated, remote surgical system including a control portion that receives inputs to drive a slave portion, for example, to control an instrument or tool in a work environment, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 1C is a side view the slave portion ofFIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 1D is a front view of the system ofFIG. 1A including additional components, including an additional control portion that may be used to drive an additional slave portion, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 2A is a detailed drawing of a side view of one variation of an example control portion that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 2B is a detailed side view of an opposite side of the example control portion shown inFIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 3A is a side view of themicro controls 50 a of the example control portion shown inFIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the control portion ofFIG. 3A in use by a user such as a surgeon, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 4A is a side view of the macro controls of the example control portion shown inFIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 4B is a side view of an opposite side of the macro controls of the example control portion shown inFIG. 4A , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 4C and 4D are a side view and a front perspective view, respectively, of the macro controls inFIGS. 4A and 4B in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views of one aspect of an example mechanism that allows actuation of a control cylinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 6A and 6B are side perspective views of aspects of the slave portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another aspect of the slave and control portions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a side view of the device inFIG. 7 , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a side view from a side opposite from the view inFIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a top view of the slave and control portions of the device ofFIG. 7 , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the slave and control portions of the device ofFIG. 7 , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an aspect of the slave portion of the present system, illustrating an overview of three example macro degrees of freedom of the slave portion, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 12B is a side view of an aspect of the control portion of the system, illustrating an overview of how the three example macro degrees of freedom shown inFIG. 12A may be actuated in the control portion, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 13A is a side view of an aspect of the control portion of the system, including a clutch safety mechanism that may be part of the macro controls, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 13B is a side view of a close up of the clutch safety mechanism ofFIG. 13A from the opposite side, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 14A-14C are side views of the control portion of the system, illustrating how an example forward/reverse pivoting motion may be actuated by the macro controls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 14D and 14E are perspective views of parts of the slave portion of the system, illustrating a resultant example forward/reverse pivoting motion in the slave portion that may be actuated by the motion shown inFIGS. 14A-14C , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 14F is a close-up side view of a curved track part of the slave portion of the system, illustrating the example forward/reverse pivoting motion along the curved track of the slave portion shown inFIGS. 14D and 14E , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 15A and 15B are partial perspective views of the slave portion of the system, illustrating the example forward/reverse pivoting motion of the tool of the slave portion that may be actuated by the motion shown inFIGS. 14A-14C , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 16A-16C are a top view, a top view and a side view, respectively, of the control portion, illustrating how an example lateral swivel motion may be actuated by the macro controls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 16D and 16E are perspective views of the slave portion illustrating a resultant example lateral swivel motion in the slave portion that may be actuated by the motion shown inFIGS. 16A-16C , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 16F is a perspective view of an example screw mechanism that may actuate the example lateral swivel motion shown inFIGS. 16D and 16E , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 17A-17C are partial side views of the control portion illustrating how an example extension/retraction motion may be actuated by the macro controls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 17D and 17E are side perspective views of an example extension/retraction motion in the slave portion that may be actuated by the motion shown inFIGS. 17A-17C , in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 18A is a side view of an example instrument to illustrate various articulated motions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 18B is a perspective side view of an example micro control to illustrate various articulated motions, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example micro controls for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 20 is a side view of the example micro controls for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the example micro controls for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 22 shows is a top view of the example micro controls for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 23 shows an example computer system that may be used, in conjunction with various embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 24A is a side view of an example grasper handle which includes a thumbwheel and a surgical assistant ratchet for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 24B illustrates an opposite side view fromFIG. 24A , and depicts an inner plane of an example grasper handle, according to an embodiment; -
FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manipulating an articulating surgical instrument, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; -
FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a flow diagram of an example method of articulation control signal generation, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and -
FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of remotely controlled surgical device control signal generation, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments and aspects of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with these aspects and embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the subject matter to these aspects embodiments. On the contrary, the subject matter described herein is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, objects, devices, structures, and/or circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the subject matter.
- Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which aspects and embodiments of the present invention belong. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
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FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of one aspect of anexample device 1 for remotely controlling an articulatingsurgical instrument 4 and/ortool 7 in a work environment O, for example, for performing surgery on a patient. Although the specific aspects of the device may vary according to the application,FIG. 1A-D shows the general overview of this type ofdevice 1, according to one embodiment. - The
device 1 may include acontrol portion 50 operable to receive aninput 3, such as a force or motion, to drive the articulatingsurgical instrument 4 and/ortool 7 which are connected to aslave portion 70 of the device. Although described as being separate components fromslave portion 70, it is appreciated thatinstrument 4 and tool 7 (when included) are also slaved to controlportion 50 and thus may be thought of as sub-assemblies ofslave portion 70. Herein, articulatingsurgical instrument 4 is interchangeably referred to as “surgical instrument” and “instrument.” Theinput 3 is transferred from thecontrol portion 50 to theslave portion 70 via atransfer mechanism 5, such as a hydraulic system.Device 1 may be configured to provide a given correlation betweeninput 3 and theresultant output 11 that operatesinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 within an operational environment O. For example,input 3 may be a linear and/or rotational movement, andoutput 11 may be a linear and/or rotational movement, and such movements may be combined or correlated in any fashion. For instance, alinear input 3 may be correlated to anoutput 11 that is linear or rotational, and arotational input 3 may be correlated to anoutput 11 that is rotational or linear. Also, the relative degree of transfer may be controlled, e.g., such that a given amount ofinput 3 produces a given amount ofoutput 11. Further,transfer mechanism 5 may additionally transfer feedback frominstrument 4 and/ortool 7 back to controlportion 50, thereby providing a user with a direct, tactile feel for the work being performed by theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7. In one example of a suitable application for system ordevice 1, theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 may include an articulating portion for performing surgery within a portion of a body of a patient. Thus,device 1 acts to control, in a precise manner, actions of aninstrument 4 and/ortool 7 in an operational environment O from a remote location. - Variations of embodiments of the invention implemented in devices and systems, such as
device 1 as well as others, may include a variety of possible movements and motions in both the control and slave portions. Herein, the ability to produce such motions in a device will be described as a “degree of freedom” or “providing a degree of freedom.” The term “degree of freedom” is not meant to be used in a strict mathematical or physical sense. Rather, a “degree of freedom” is meant to refer to a certain motion or category of motions that are allowed in thecontrol portion 50,slave portion 70,instrument 4, or other portions of thedevice 1. One skilled in the art will understand that the systems and devices discussed herein are not limited to the degrees of freedom explicitly described herein. Rather, the devices described herein may be reconfigured even without adding new components such that additional degrees of freedom are included. Further, new components may also be added to devices described herein in order to facilitate new degrees of freedom or to change the scope, direction or other aspect of degrees of freedom discussed herein. Further, the devices discussed herein may also be reconfigured in ways that preserve the degrees of freedom discussed herein. It is to be understood that all such changes are within the scope of embodiments of the invention and that each of the devices configurations and degrees of freedom discussed is merely provided by way of example and not of limitation. - Generally speaking, a large-scale movement that translates multifunctional portions of the device will be referred to as a “macro” movement. However, it is to be understood that this term is not rigorous. For example, macro movements are possible for uni-functional aspects of the device. Macro movements are generally employed for relatively large-scale positioning of the instrument and/or tool closer to or further away from the operational environment O, although macro movements can be employed for other purposes as well. Each macro movement is considered a degree of freedom.
- Generally speaking, a small-scale movement that translates a uni-functional portion of the device will be referred to as a “micro” movement. However, it is to be understood that this term is not rigorous. For example, micro movements are possible for multi-functional aspects of the device. Micro movements are generally employed for moving the
instrument 4 and/ortool 7 within the operational environment O in order to perform specific operations. However, it is to be understood that micro movements can be employed for other purposes as well. Each micro movement is considered a degree of freedom. - Further, in
device 1, thecontrol portion 50 is capable of actuating both macro and micro movements and theslave portion 70 is capable of carrying out both macro and micro movements. Generally, these portions are connected viatransfer mechanism 5, such as hydraulic lines. The control portion can provide a user interface to allow actuation of aspects of theslave portion 70 or portions via the hydraulic lines or other mechanisms. Although a particular configuration for the control and slave portions is shown inFIG. 1A , it is to be understood that this is merely one example configuration. As well be shown, several variations of the control and slave portions are part of the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention, and variations not shown or discussed herein may also be used in conjunction with embodiments and aspects of the present invention. -
FIG. 1B shows a variation of acontrol portion 50 andslave portion 70, andFIG. 1C a more detailed view of the variation ofslave portion 70, of an example device 1000 (an embodiment of device 1), according to various embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 1D shows another view of the control and slave portions ofFIGS. 1B and 1C , respectively. As shown inFIG. 1B , a user U may operate thecontrol portion 50 by grasping agrasper handle assembly 1200. Thegrasper handle assembly 1200 and thecontrol portion 50 in general, may have various levers, triggers and/or other actuators. These levers, triggers and/or other actuators are usually connected via a transfer mechanism, such as hydraulic lines, to various parts of theslave portion 70 of the device. For example, FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D include aninstrument 4 and/ortool 7 on the distal end (“distal” end is typically the working end ofinstrument 4 or tool 7 (when attached to instrument 4) that is located furthest from control portion 50) of theslave portion 70 of the device that may be actuated using thecontrol portion 50 and associated hydraulic systems so that it operates in the operational environment O (FIGS. 1C and 1D ). For example, pulling a trigger on thegrasper handle assembly 1200 may extend theinstrument 4 in the direction towards the operational environment O. Alternatively, theinstrument 4 may have a number of functionalities (e.g., cutting, grasping, gouging, and piercing) that may be actuated by the trigger or other portions of thegrasper handle assembly 1200.Multiple instruments 4 and/ortools 7 may also be configured for use in theslave portion 70, examples of which will be explored in greater detail below. The operational environment O may be a surgical operating environment, an environment such as an assembly environment or another environment. -
FIGS. 1C and 1D also show anadjustable stand 2 that may be used to fix thecontrol portion 50, theslave portion 70 or both to a particular location or object. For example, thestand 2 may be fixed to a side of a table in an operating room. Alternatively, thestand 2 may be a self-standing apparatus for supporting thedevice 1 in any suitable location. As such, thestand 2 may also be fixed in other locations, such as in an environment where mechanical or electrical work is to be done. Thestand 2 may include various components that allow different parts of thedevice 1000 to be adjustably positioned at various locations. For example,FIGS. 1C and 1D show a series of grip handles 2 a and knobs 2 b that may be used to alternatively fix and release various posts andbeams 2 c providing support to parts of thedevice 1000. In addition, thebeams 2 c, or other components, may be connected to each other or to other objects using vices, crimpers or clamps 2 d. It is to be understood that the structure for theadjustable stand 2 shown inFIGS. 1C and 1D is merely representative. In fact, the structure of thestand 2 can be reconfigured, rebuilt and/or adjusted as needed. -
FIG. 2A is a detailed drawing of a side view of one variation of anexample control portion 50 that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 2B shows an opposite side of the example control portion shown inFIG. 2A . Theexample control portion 50 is similar to thecontrol portion 50 shown inFIGS. 1B and 1D and may be operated in the manner shown in those Figures, or in ways that are not explicitly represented in the Figures. The topmost portion of thecontrol portion 50 contains micro controls 50 a. The specifics of the micro controls 50 a will be described in detail below, but in general the micro controls 50 a may control the micro or relatively-finer motion of aspects of theslave portion 70. For example, the micro controls 50 a may control movements ofinstruments 4 and/ortools 7 coupled with theslave portion 70 and which can be located or utilized within the operational environment O. In contrast, the macro controls 50 b shown in the lower portion of thedevice 1000 inFIGS. 2A and 2B may be used to control macro or relatively coarser motions of theslave portion 70. For example, the macro controls 50 b may be used to bring theinstrument 4 and/ortools 7 coupled with theslave portion 70 in proximity to the operational environment O from another position (e.g., a position outside of where contact between the instrument and/or tools and an object upon which work is to be performed, or a position where the instrument and/or tools are being serviced). However, as noted above, these definitions are not literal, specific or rigorous and merely serve to give a broad understanding of how various aspects relate to one another. - The
control portion 50 shown inFIG. 2B may have other aspects that give it additional degrees of freedom in the motions that may be transmitted from the user to theslave portion 70 of the device. These additional aspects will be discussed in more detail below. Generally, each degree of freedom corresponds to itsown control cylinder 100, as shown inFIG. 2B . For example, the user may grasp thegrasper handle assembly 1200 and squeeze thetrigger 1220, as well as movegrasper handle assembly 1200 in various directions. These and similar motions define an input force or input motion 3 (FIG. 1A ) that generally effect a mechanical response in thecontrol cylinders 100, which transmit the mechanical response to theslave portion 70 of the device. -
FIG. 3A highlights the micro controls 50 a of the example control portion shown 50 inFIGS. 2A , 2B.FIG. 3B shows the micro controls 50 a ofFIG. 3A in use.FIG. 3A shows several example features of the micro controls 50 a, including agrasper handle assembly 1200, and atrigger 1220 for interacting with the user. Generally, the user may grasp thegrasper handle assembly 1200, as shown inFIG. 3B , and squeeze thetrigger 1220. This motion and similar motions generally affect a mechanical response in one or more of thecontrol cylinders 100, also shown inFIG. 3A , which transmit the mechanical response to theslave portion 70 of the device (FIG. 1C ). -
FIG. 3A also shows a closer view ofexample spool valves 100 a attached to each of thecontrol cylinders 100 for, among other things, keeping the hydraulic lines filled with fluid. As shown inFIG. 3A , thespool valves 100 a are generally connected to each of thecontrol cylinders 100 on one end and contain a portion of the control fluid communicating between thecontrol cylinder 100 and theslave portion 70 of the device. Although the fluid connections are not explicitly shown inFIG. 3A , they may be made by any suitable connection. Generally, one connects a hydraulic line at the inlets in thespool valves 100 a and connects the other end of the hydraulic line to a corresponding control cylinder on theslave portion 70 of the device. In this configuration, each degree of freedom, typically has one control cylinder in the control portion and one corresponding control cylinder in theslave portion 70. These respective control cylinders may be connected using thespool valves 100 a described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/297,630, titled “HYDRAULIC DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL VALVE” filed on Jan. 22, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/297,784 titled “OVERFORCE MECHANISM” filed on Jan. 27, 2010 which are both hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As described in more detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/297,630 another purpose of the spool valve of embodiments of the instant invention, among others, is to control fluid communication between thecontrol cylinder 100 and theslave portion 70 of the device. Althoughspool valves 100 a may not be shown in conjunction with eachcontrol cylinder 100 shown herein, it is to be understood that aspool valve 100 a may be used with any of thecontrol cylinders 100 discussed herein. Note that thecontrol portion 50 as shown inFIGS. 2A , 2B and 3A, and each of its components, is a non-limiting example of one of the types of control portions that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that aspects of various embodiments of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a variety of other devices, including other control portions. -
FIGS. 4A and 4B highlight themacro controls 50 b of the example control portion shown inFIG. 2A . As shown inFIG. 4A , in one embodiment, the macro controls 50 b may include threecontrol cylinders 100. Thecontrol cylinders 100 may actuate different degrees of freedom in thedevice 1000. Example degrees of freedom will be discussed in more detail below. Each of thecontrol cylinders 100 has an associatedtransmission assembly macro controls 50 b serve to translate user motion to thecontrol cylinders 100, which then translate that motion into the displacement of hydraulic fluid in communication with corresponding control cylinders in theslave portion 70 ofdevice 1. As will be described herein, such a displacement of hydraulic fluid constitutes one example of a type of control signal that can be generated bycontrol portion 50. Althoughspecific transmission assemblies device 1000, it is to be understood that they may be replaced by any suitable transmission or gear assembly (or other actuating assembly) that serves to translate user motion to thecontrol cylinders 100. It is to be further understood that the number of control cylinders and gear assemblies shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B is merely an example of the number that may be utilized. Additional degrees of freedom may be added by addingnew control cylinders 100. Alternatively, not all of thecontrol cylinders 100 shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B need be present or operational in themacro controls 50 b. - Generally speaking, the macro controls 50 b actuate macro motions in the
slave portion 70 of the device. Such macro motions may include, but are not limited to,positioning instrument 4 and/ortool 7 appropriately so that it may perform operations on a specific area of the operating environment O.FIGS. 4A and 4B also show ananchor 610 that may serve to anchor thecontrol portion 50 to a fixed object or another portion of thedevice 1000. For example, theanchor 610 may simply be a peg (as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B ) for anchoring thecontrol portion 50 to a stand, desk, table or bedside by fitting into a peg receptacle on one of these objects. Alternatively, theanchor 610 may include a clamp, screws or fasteners for anchoring thecontrol portion 50 to an object. In some aspects,anchor 610 may allow fixed relative movement betweencontrol portion 50 and the object to which it is anchored. For example, theanchor 610 may allow relative rotational movement between different fixed positions between thecontrol portion 50 and the object to which it is anchored in order to fix. For example, such relative movement may be desired for user comfort inpositioning device 1 or portions thereof relative to the user's body. In other aspects,anchor 610 may fixedly position thecontrol portion 50 to the object to which it is anchored. -
FIGS. 4C and 4D show the macro controls inFIGS. 4A and 4B in use by a user U. As shown inFIGS. 4C and 4D , the user may grip thegrasper handle assembly 1200 and rest his/her elbow inarm holder assembly 1100. The user U may generally actuate themacro controls 50 b using the forearm and the elbow in conjunction with thearm holder assembly 1100, or other portions of his/her body. The details of the interaction will be discussed below. It is noted that themacro controls 50 b andmicro controls 50 a shown herein are merely examples. For example, the macro controls 50 b andmicro controls 50 a may include additional levers, triggers, screws, buttons, latches switches, paddles, moveable pins, pedals (e.g., a foot pedal), and touchless sensors. The macro controls 50 b andmicro controls 50 a may also include additional aspects that make the user more comfortable (e.g., cushions, padding, fans, cooling devices). Additionally, one or morefunction control mechanisms 50 c (see e.g.,FIG. 12B for one example implementation andFIG. 13A for another example implementation), which may take many forms, may be included in some embodiments.Function control mechanism 50 c, when included, allows a user to control a function associated withdevice 1. The function controlled is in addition to the movements in the degrees of freedom that are controlled bymacro controls 50 b andmicro controls 50 a. - It should be noted that a number of different mechanisms for actuating control cylinders are disclosed herein. While certain variations of actuation mechanisms may be more appropriate for certain applications, it is to be understood that most of the actuation mechanisms discussed here are, to some extent, interchangeable. That is, it would be possible to apply a particular actuation mechanism (including various components for manipulating mechanical motion including gears, levers, screw members, linkages, pistons or other components) for another suitable purpose. Many of the actuation mechanisms discussed in the context of a particular degree of freedom may also be employed to actuate different degrees of freedom discussed herein and different degrees of freedom that are not discussed herein. It is to be understood that such variations fall within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.
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FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example mechanism for controlling actuation of force or motion, in the form of acontrol cylinder 100. As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B , thecontrol cylinder 100 includes anouter cylinder 101 which, can include acontrol cylinder shaft 101 a inside aninner cylinder 102. Upon application of aninput 3 of a force or motion tomicro controls 50 a and/ormacro controls 50 b, acorresponding control cylinder 100 may be actuated, for example, through one or more levers and/or gears, from the retracted position shown inFIG. 5A to the extended position shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B . It should be understood, however, thatcontrol cylinder 100 is one of a plurality of possible actuation mechanisms that may be used to perform the functions described herein. For example, other actuation mechanisms may include one or any combination of mechanical actuators, hydraulic actuators, magnetic actuators, or the like. - As noted above, an
example control cylinder 100 includes anouter cylinder 101 and aninner cylinder 102. Theinner cylinder 102 is free to move within theouter cylinder 101, while theouter cylinder 101 is connected to ashaft 101 a, where theshaft 101 a is in mechanical communication with a corresponding feature ofmicro controls 50 a ormacro controls 50 b of thecontrol portion 50. The movements of thecontrol portion 50, described above, cause theouter cylinder 101 to move longitudinally with respect to the stationaryinner cylinder 102. - A
piston 101 b, attached to ashaft 101 a, moves within theinner cylinder 102. The distal end of theshaft 101 a is configured to be capable of attachment to thepiston 101 b, while the proximal end of theshaft 101 a is configured to be capable of attachment to theouter cylinder 101. A fluid 20, such as air, saline, water, oil, etc., is located in theinner cylinder 102 in front of thepiston 101 b. When thecontrol portion 50 is moved as described above, theouter cylinder 101 moves forward, thereby moving theshaft 101 a and thepiston 101 b.Fluid 20 exits theinner cylinder 102 through an outlet, creating a displacement of hydraulic fluid at a point in the distal end of the device.Additional fluid 20, displaced from a slave control cylinder, enters to the back of thepiston 101 b through an inlet, thereby keeping the volume of the fluid 20 in the system constant. When thecontrol portion 50 is moved to a first end position, thecontrol cylinder 100 is in its retracted position,FIG. 5A . In this position, thepiston 101 b is at the distal end of theinner cylinder 102. The fluid 20 is in the back of thepiston 101 b. - Generally, the
control cylinder 100 slides back and forth within theinner cylinder 102 as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B . In this way, among others, the control portions use thecontrol cylinder 100 to channel the mechanical force from the user to theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7. Although broken out separately inFIG. 1A and describes separately herein, generally speaking, components actuated by acontrol cylinder 100 are referred to as the “slave” components of the device because they move under control of signals received fromcontrol portion 70 via one ormore control cylinders 100. These slave components may includeslave portion 70,instruments 4, and/ortools 7.Tools 7 include, but are not limited to tools such as: mechanical grippers, lever arms, cutting tools, grasping tools and any other suitable devices. The mechanical force can be used in any number of suitable ways by theslave portion 70 of the devices. For example, the control portions can be used to conduct surgical procedures, move objects or to mechanically provide force for any suitable number of applications. For example, the control portions may be coupled to various surgical apparatus (e.g., clamps, shears, needles, etc.) for performing a surgical operation. - In some aspects,
control cylinders 100 may include clutch mechanisms (not shown) that shunt inadvertent over-forcing of the macro or micro controls away from the hydraulic systems in order to prevent damage to components. Example clutch mechanisms are described in Applicants' co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 61/297,784 titled “OVERFORCE MECHANISM” filed on Jan. 27, 2010. -
Control cylinders 100, such as those shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B , can be used to drive complex mechanical systems in conjunction with other control cylinders. For example, one control cylinder may be actuated by thecontrol portion 50 ofFIG. 2B and communicate fluid, ultimately, with one or more other control cylinders in theslave portion 70 of the device. Coupling of the hydraulics between the control cylinders in the master and the slave portions of the device may be accomplished by a variety of means including by directly connecting hydraulic lines, by use of a number of suitable connectors, valves and other fixtures. However, it may be advantageous for the connection to contain a de-coupling mechanism so that the slave components and control portions can be hydraulically de-coupled from one another when not in use. Further, as many of the lines and connections used in surgical hydraulic systems and other similar hydraulic systems can allow evaporation of the hydraulic fluid, it is also advantageous for connectors to provide a mechanism of replenishing the hydraulic fluid. Example de-coupling mechanisms and fluid replenishment mechanisms are described in Applicants' co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/297,630 titled “HYDRAULIC DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL VALVE” filed on Jan. 22, 2010. - In summary, in some aspects, some of the actuated mechanical devices, such as the one shown in
FIGS. 1A , 2B and 2C, may contain control portions with a single control cylinder or control portions with multiple control cylinders. These control portions with a single control cylinder or control portions with multiple control cylinders may serve to allow a user, such a surgeon, to actuate mechanical operations in another portion of the device. For example, the control portions with a single control cylinder or control portions with multiple control cylinders may actuate and move various tools for the implementation of surgery. Generally speaking, the control portions (e.g., control portions with a single control cylinder or control portions with multiple control cylinders) are part of the control portion of the device and the various instruments and/or tools are coupled with theslave portion 70 of the device. The connections between the control and slave portions are primarily hydraulic in nature to allow transmission of mechanical forces between the two portions. However, other connections (e.g., electrical, pneumatic, electromagnetic, and optical) may also be present in order to transmit various types of information between the two portions of the device. -
FIGS. 6A and 6B give an overview of example variations of theslave portion 70 of variations of embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B , theslave portion 70 may include, among other components, an Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 and a Pivoting/Swivel actuator portion 30 that may relate to the macro motions discussed in detail below. Theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 that may be coupled withslave portion 70 may have a variety of components and functionalities. For example, the instrument and/or tool may include graspers, scalpels, scissors, tweezers and any other component suitable for the application. Further, theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 may include or correspond to any number ofsuitable control cylinders 100 appropriate for the application. Thecontrol cylinders 100 in theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 may be independently actuated or may work in tandem. Also, theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 may include multiple functions (controlled by one or morefunction control mechanisms 50 c) and multiple instruments/tools. Theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 may also be modular in nature and may allow the substitution or exchange of various components with various functionalities. - As shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B theslave portion 70 may include one ormore control cylinders 100 depending on the number of desired motions and/or on the configuration ofdevice 1.FIG. 6A shows theexample slave portion 70 fixed to astand 2 andFIG. 6B represents theexample slave portion 70 without astand 2. The configurations shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B are merely example. For example, there may beadditional control cylinders 100 to those shown in the figures, wherein one or more control cylinders100 correspond to one or more degrees of freedom indevice 1 or a portion thereof. For example, in one aspect, each of theslave control cylinders 100 generally corresponds to at least one of themaster control cylinders 100 of thecontrol portion 50 of the device shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B . However, there need not be a one to one correspondence betweencontrol cylinders 100 in the slave and master or control portions. Each of thecontrol cylinders 100 in theslave portion 70 is hydraulically coupled to some aspect of themaster control portion 50, such as being hydraulically coupled to a correspondingmaster control cylinder 100. -
FIG. 6A shows examplehydraulic lines 600 that may connect aspects of theslave 70 andcontrol portion 50 as described above and in other ways.Hydraulic lines 600 may be of any suitable material or have any suitable configuration. For example,hydraulic lines 600 may include plastic, rubber or other elastic material. Aspects of thehydraulic lines 600 may also include metal in any suitable form, including metal sheathing, weaving or metal reinforcement, for example, to control expansion of the lines under pressure, which thereby controls the transfer of motion or force from the master to theslave portion 70. Aspects of the hydraulic lines may also include other suitable materials including various polymeric materials as well as foils, glasses, or any other suitable material. Portions of thehydraulic lines 600 may be rigid and others may be suitably flexible, as needed. Portions of thehydraulic lines 600 may be transparent or opaque. Variations of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may include any suitable number of hydraulic lines of any suitable construction or configuration. The hydraulic lines 600 (see, e.g.,FIG. 1C ) may also be made from a variety of materials, including plastics, rubbers and/or including various fibers or metal weavings. Thehydraulic lines 600, corresponding control cylinders and spool valves may be of any suitable size and have any suitable inner and outer diameters for the particular applications. One type of hydraulic line may be used, or there may be a variety of types of hydraulic lines used in thesame device 1000, for example, depending on the pressure of a given line. It is noted that drawings represented here of components relating to embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily to scale. In fact, the components and principles articulated here may operate on several different size scales alternatively or simultaneously. - The hydraulic fluid used with
hydraulic lines 600 and with other example variations of embodiments of the present invention may be any suitable hydraulic fluid. This suitable hydraulic fluid may be, for example, any number of suitable oils, such as mineral oil. The hydraulic fluid may also be a fluid that is medically benign, such as saline or water. Any other suitable fluid may also be used, including fluids that are not medically benign. - Connections between the hydraulic lines may be obtained using spool valves, other valves, or other suitable hydraulic connections. These connections may include the use of O-rings or seal valves, for example. The connections may include other components (e.g., caps, pipes, sockets).
- Although not depicted in
FIGS. 6A and 6B , other lines besides hydraulic lines 600 (such as suction lines, irrigation lines, electrical lines, and fiber optic lines) that control movement of functions associated withslave portion 70,instrument 4, and/ortool 7, may similarly connect aspects ofslave portion 70 andcontrol portion 50. Additionally, one or more of these other lines may be further routed to aninstrument 4 and/or atool 7 which is coupled withslave portion 70. Afunction control 50 c may convey or control information or signals over one or more or these other lines to affect one or more functions associated withinstrument 4 and/ortool 7. -
FIGS. 7-11 show variations of thedevice 1000. Note that thedevice 1000 shown inFIGS. 7-11 includes several aspects not shown inFIGS. 1B-6B . For example,FIGS. 7-11 show acasing 140 covering certain aspects of theslave portion 70 of the device. It is to be understood that any of the gears, cylinders or other components shown herein may be covered by such a casing during operation or storage. Thecasing 140 may serve to protect the components from dust, wear or inadvertent contact with other objects, for example. Theslave portion 70 of the device shown inFIGS. 7-11 also includes grip handles 2 a and knobs 2 b for fixing theslave portion 70 to some other object, including astand 2. The grip handles 2 a and knobs 2 b may also be used to adjust the position ofslave portion 70. Further, theslave portion 70 ofFIGS. 7-11 is coupled with asingle instrument 4 having a connectedtool 7. It is to be understood thatmultiple instruments 4 and/ortools 7 may also be connected. In addition a single device may includemultiple slave portions 70 and/ormultiple control portions 50 as needed. -
FIG. 12A shows an overview of three example macro degrees of freedom in a variation of theslave portion 70 of the device in accordance with aspects and embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 12B shows an overview of how the three example macro degrees of freedom shown inFIG. 12A may be actuated in the control portion. These figures and discussion are meant as an introduction to the three example degrees of freedom which will be discussed in more detail with their associated controlling and actuating mechanisms in the following section. It should be noted that, while the example degrees of freedom are useful for certain applications, they are not meant to be exhaustive. Other degrees of freedom are within the scope of aspects and embodiments of the present invention. Indeed, it is possible to modify the existing apparatus as described to encompass either additional or fewer degrees of freedom, as needed. All such modifications should be considered within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. - In
FIG. 12A , one of the example macro degrees of freedom shown is Forward/Reverse Pivoting of theinstrument 4 and related components. Forward/Reverse Pivoting may allowinstrument 4 to pivot about a central pivot point, such asPivot Point 2 shown inFIG. 12A , in plane P1. This particular degree of freedom is useful for, among other things, positioning theinstrument 4 about a particular area of interest in an operational environment O. For example, the Forward/Reverse Pivoting degree of freedom can be used to position atool 7, such as a scalpel, on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for the making of an incision. Alternatively, Forward/Reverse Pivoting degree of freedom can be used to position tweezers on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for grasping a particular object (e.g., an organ or tissue).FIG. 12B shows how the Forward/Reverse Pivoting may be actuated, in particular by a swinging motion of the user's forearm in conjunction with the micro controls 50 a. - In
FIG. 12A , another of the example macro degrees of freedom shown is Lateral Swivel of theinstrument 4 and related components. The Lateral Swivel may allowinstrument 4 to swivel about axis A in plane P2. This particular degree of freedom is useful for, among other things, positioning theinstrument 4 about a particular area of interest in an operational environment O. This particular degree of freedom may, for example, compliment the Forward/Reverse Pivoting motion such that theinstrument 4 and related components are able to assume 180° of motion in the two orthogonal planes P1 and P2 that are perpendicular to axis A. The Lateral Swivel degree of freedom can be used, for example, to position a scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for the making of an incision. Alternatively, Forward/Reverse Pivoting degree of freedom can be used to position tweezers on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for grasping a particular object (e.g., an organ or tissue).FIG. 12B shows how the Forward/Reverse Pivoting may be actuated, in particular by a lateral sweeping motion of the user's forearm in conjunction with the micro controls 50 a. - In
FIG. 12A , another of the example macro degrees of freedom shown is Extension/Retraction of theinstrument 4 and related components. Extension/Retraction may allowinstrument 4 to be brought closer to or further away from the operational environment O. This particular degree of freedom may, for example, allow theinstrument 4 to be retracted a safe distance from objects in the operating environment while it is repositioned using the Forward/Reverse Pivoting and Lateral Swivel motions. Once theinstrument 4 has been repositioned, it may be brought back in contact or in close proximity with the operational environment O using the Extension/Retraction degree of freedom.FIG. 12B shows how Extension/Retraction may be actuated, in particular by a forward or backward motion of the micro control 5 a assembly and corresponding motion of portions of themacro control assembly 50 b. -
FIG. 12B also illustrates one embodiment of a function control in the form ofknob 50 c-1, which a user may manipulate or adjust, such as by spinning with a thumb, in order to engage or control a function that is associated withinstrument 4 and/ortool 7. -
FIGS. 13A-17E highlight details of the macro controls and their operation. In the example variation of thedevice 1000 shown inFIGS. 13A-17E there are three macro controls controlling three associated macro degrees of freedom. However, it is to be understood that this is merely example. There could be any suitable number of macro controls controlling any associated number of degrees of freedom. Further, although in the example variation each macro control has an associatedcontrol cylinder 100 and an associated single degree of freedom, it is to be understood that other combinations are possible within the scope embodiments of the present invention. For example, macro controls may act in combination on the same control cylinder or on the same combination of control cylinders. This may control one or more degrees of freedom simultaneously. -
FIG. 13A highlights an optionalclutch safety mechanism 300 that prevents or enables operation of themacro controls 50 b andFIG. 13B shows a close up of theclutch safety mechanism 300 from the opposite viewpoint. Generally, theclutch safety mechanism 300 includes two major components, anupper portion 300 a and alower portion 300 b. Note that thecontrol cylinder 100 belonging to thelower portion 300 b is related to one of the three degrees of freedom of themacro controls 50 b. This control cylinder is shown in a different position inFIGS. 13A and 13B . However, the relative position of thecontrol cylinder 100 is not necessarily related to the operation of theclutch safety mechanism 300. Theclutch safety mechanism 300 can temporarily disconnect the hydraulic systems between themacro controls 50 b and theircorresponding control cylinders 100 on theslave portion 70 of the device. Alternatively, theclutch safety mechanism 300 may be purely mechanical and disconnect themacro controls 50 b from theircorresponding control cylinders 100 on theslave portion 70 in a purely mechanical fashion. - Generally, in one embodiment, when the
device 1000 is not in operation, theclutch safety mechanism 300 is in the upright position shown inFIG. 13A . The upright position may be displaced from horizontal by the arc D1. The arc D1 may be any suitable length. The upright position generally disengages themacro controls 50 b from theircorresponding control cylinders 100 on theslave portion 70. As shown inFIG. 13A , the upright position may be the default position taken byclutch safety mechanism 300 when not in use. The upright position may be assumed automatically, such as by a biasing mechanism, which may include one or more of a spring, a lever, a hinge and/or other suitable mechanisms for positioning the clutch to disconnect the hydraulic system when the user's arm is not present inarm holder assembly 1100 to press downwardly on theupper position 300 a of theclutch safety mechanism 300. In the upright position, hydraulic lines between themacro controls 50 b and theircorresponding control cylinders 100 in theslave portion 70 may be disconnected, for example, by valves, plungers orother mechanics 300 c that interrupt the fluid communication between the two portions. Disconnecting themacro controls 50 b from theircorresponding control cylinders 100 in theslave portion 70 can prevent inadvertent actuation of the degrees of freedom associated with themacro controls 50 b when thedevice 1000 is not in use. This can prevent damage to the system by, for example, inadvertent actuation of one of thecontrol cylinders 100 of theslave portion 70 bringing theinstrument 4 which is coupled withslave portion 70 into contact with an object in the operational environment O, or a storage environment, that causes damage (e.g., from scraping, gouging or smashing contact). Disengaging the macro controls 50 b in the upright position prevents such contact or inadvertent motion. It should be understood, however, that the clutch mechanism may be configured to disengage the hydraulic system at positions of themacro controls 50 b other than the upwardly biased position. - In one embodiment of an upwardly biased clutch mechanism, when the user places his or her arm in the
arm holder assembly 1100 and presses downwardly on the cradle, this downward force is transmitted to theupper portion 300 a of theclutch safety mechanism 300. This force then brings the lower 300 b and upper 300 a portions of theclutch safety mechanism 300 into contact. This generally positions the valves, plungers orother mechanics 300 c to allow either hydraulic or mechanical communication between themacro controls 50 b and theircorresponding cylinders 100 in theslave portion 70 of the device. The engaged position is shown, for example, inFIG. 14A . Typically, in the engaged position, the upper 300 a and the lower 300 b portions of theclutch safety mechanism 300 are in direct contact. However, other configurations are also within the scope embodiments of the present invention. For example, theclutch safety mechanism 300 may be adjustable so that the engaged position can be adjusted according to user preference and/or to maximize user comfort. Alternatively, the engaged position may be accessed by more complicated motions than simply pressing down on thearm holder assembly 1100. For example, the engaged position may be accessed by simultaneously pressing down on thearm holder assembly 1100 and moving the control portion in a given direction, such as laterally (not shown). More complicated motions to access the engaged position may also be possible. -
FIG. 13A also illustrates one embodiment of a function control in the form offoot pedal 50 c-2, which a user may manipulate or adjust, such as by depressing with a foot of the user, in order to engage or control a function that is associated withinstrument 4 and/ortool 7. -
FIGS. 14A-14E highlight a first example degree of freedom of the macro controls associated with a forward translation of theslave portion 70.FIGS. 14A-14C show how the motion may be actuated in themacro controls 50 b andFIGS. 14D and 14E show an example resultant motion in theslave portion 70 andFIG. 14F highlights that motion along the curved track of theslave portion 70.FIGS. 15A and 15B show the resultant forward/reverse pivoting motion of theinstrument 4 which is coupled with theslave portion 70. - As shown in
FIGS. 14A-14C , the user may actuate a forward translation of theslave portion 70 by swiveling the entire micro controls 50 a throughout arc D2. As shown inFIGS. 14A-14C , the micro controls 50 a may swivel aboutpivot point 401.FIG. 14C shows an example gear setup oftransmission assembly 405 that may be used to translate this swiveling motion of the micro controls 50 a about the arc D2 to a linear motion of acontrol cylinder 100. For example, swiveling the micro controls 50 a aboutpivot point 401 may causegear 405 a to turn and engagegear 405 b.Gear 405 b may then engagelinear gear 405 c which can be fixed to thecontrol cylinder 100, as shown inFIG. 14C . This gear motion, in either direction, then may cause the piston of the control cylinder show inFIG. 14C to move in the lateral direction D3, pumping hydraulic fluid to acorresponding control cylinder 100 on theslave portion 70 of the device (as shown and discussed in the context ofFIGS. 5A and 5B ). - The
control cylinder 100, the micro controls 50 a and the gear setup oftransmission assembly 405 may be configured such that any suitable combination of motions is possible. For example, moving the micro controls 50 a in a clockwise direction D2 aboutpivot point 401 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to theslave portion 70 of the device. In this case, moving the micro controls 50 a in a counter clockwise direction D2 aboutpivot point 401 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. Alternatively, moving the micro controls 50 a in a clockwise direction D2 aboutpivot point 401 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. In this case, moving the micro controls 50 a in a counter clockwise direction D2 aboutpivot point 401 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the slave position of the device. -
FIGS. 14D and 14E show how the motion of the micro controls 50 a described inFIGS. 14A-4C may be translated into motion of theslave portion 70 of the device. Hydraulic fluid is either pumped in or out of thecontrol cylinder 100 inFIGS. 14D and 14E on theslave portion 70 of the device according to motion of the micro controls 50 a discussed above with reference toFIGS. 14A-14C . - In
FIG. 14D , thecontrol cylinder 100 receiving or expelling hydraulic fluid associated with the first example degree of freedom is shown in an inset. Typically, thecontrol cylinder 100 will be housed in acasing 140, which is also shown inFIG. 14D .FIG. 14E shows the setup inFIG. 14D without thecasing 140 and without theinstrument 4. As shown inFIGS. 14D and 14E , thecontrol cylinder 100 may be mechanically coupled to atrack 450 in which achain 450 a may translate. Thechain 450 a and thetrack 450 are shown in more detail with respect to thecasing 140 inFIG. 14F . - Generally, the
chain 450 a may be coupled on one end to aninstrument holder 4 a. Anexample coupling 450 b is shown in more detail inFIG. 14E . Thecoupling 450 b may have any suitable form for connecting theinstrument holder 4 a to thechain 450 a such that, for example, theinstrument holder 4 a moves as thechain 450 a slides along the track. For example, coupling 450 b may include a carriage having wheels that ride alongtrack 450. In some embodiments, track 450 may include a groove or a rail to guide the carriage and/or wheels. In turn, the other end of thechain 450 a may be coupled to thecontrol cylinder 100 shown inFIG. 14E such that motion of the control cylinder 100 (seeFIG. 5A ) pushes or pulls thechain 450 a along thetrack 450. - In general, a piston head and shaft of the control cylinder may move along the direction D4 shown in
FIGS. 14D and 14E , causing thechain 450 a to slide along direction D5 shown inFIGS. 14D-14F .FIG. 15A shows an example resultant motion of theinstrument 4 and theinstrument holder 4 a in response to actuation by the motion of thecontrol cylinder 100 along direction D4.FIG. 15B highlights the pivoting motion of thecoupling 450 b along direction D5. As shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B , the structure of the curved shape of thetrack 450 causes coupling 450 b and, therefore, theinstrument 4, to pivot about an effective Pivot Point. For example, as thechain 450 a moves away from thecasing 140 along direction D5, themechanical coupling 450 b sweeps through a series of positions P1-P5 about thePivot Point 1. This causes theinstrument 4 and theinstrument holder 4 a to sweep through the series of positions aboutPivot Point 2. Since the chain may be positioned such that themechanical coupling 450 b adopts any of the positions P1-P5, or any other suitable position along D5, theinstrument 4 may effectively adopt any position about thePivot Point 2. This may allow theinstrument 4 and the user U to operate on any portion of the operational environment O that may be accessed with such motion. -
FIG. 16A-16F highlight a second example degree of freedom of the macro controls associated with a lateral swivel of theslave portion 70.FIGS. 16A-16C show how the motion may be actuated in themacro controls 50 b andFIGS. 16D and 16E show an example resultant motion in theslave portion 70.FIG. 16F highlights an example screw mechanism that may actuate the example lateral swivel motion. - As shown in
FIGS. 16A-16F , the user may actuate a lateral swivel, e.g., a rotation in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis A (seeFIGS. 16D and 16E ) of theslave portion 70 by swiveling the entire micro controls 50 a throughout arc D6 aboutpivot point 501.FIG. 16C shows an example gear setup oftransmission assembly 505 that may be used to translate this swiveling motion of the micro controls 50 a about the arc D6 to a horizontal motion of acontrol cylinder 100. The INSET inFIG. 16C shows another view of example gears in the gear setup oftransmission assembly 505. For example, swiveling the micro controls 50 a may swivelgear 505 a shown in the INSET.Gear 505 a may then engagegear 505 b, which in turn can engagelinear gear 505 c, which can be fixed to thecontrol cylinder 100. This series of gear motion, in either direction, then may cause the piston of thecontrol cylinder 100 to move in the lateral direction D7, pumping hydraulic fluid to acorresponding control cylinder 100 on theslave portion 70 of the device (as shown and discussed in the context ofFIGS. 5A and 5B ). - The
control cylinder 100; the micro controls 50 a and the gear setup oftransmission assembly 505 may be configured such that any suitable combination of motions is possible. For example, moving the micro controls 50 a in a clockwise direction along arc D6 aboutpivot point 501 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to theslave portion 70 of the device. In this case, moving the micro controls 50 a in a counter clockwise direction along arc D6 aboutpivot point 501 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. Alternatively, moving the micro controls 50 a in a clockwise direction along arc D6 aboutpivot point 501 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. In this case, moving the micro controls 50 a in a counter clockwise direction along arc D6 aboutpivot point 501 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to theslave portion 70 of the device. -
FIGS. 16D and 16E show how the macro motion described inFIGS. 16A-C may be translated into motion of theslave portion 70 of the device. In an embodiment, an example setup inFIG. 16D includes two control cylinders 100 (one is shown in the inset because it would otherwise be obscured by other components, and the other is visible). In this embodiment, in between the control cylinders is ascrew member 550 that is attached to ashaft 550 a. Hydraulic fluid is either pumped in or out of thecontrol cylinders 100 inFIGS. 16D and 16E on theslave portion 70 of the device according to macro motions discussed above with reference toFIGS. 16A-16C . - More specifically, in
FIG. 16D , thecontrol cylinders 100 receiving or expelling hydraulic fluid associated with the second example degree of freedom are shown.FIG. 16E shows the setup inFIG. 16D without thecasing 140 and without theinstrument 4. As shown inFIGS. 16D and 16E , thecontrol cylinders 100 may be coupled to ascrew member 550, itself coupled to ashaft 550 a. Axis A is the axis of rotation for theshaft 550 a. Theshaft 550 a may additionally be coupled to atrack 450 viacoupling 550 c, such as a link. Coupling 550 c between theshaft 550 a and thetrack 450 allows motion in the screw to ultimately be translated to theinstrument 4 because theinstrument 4 is coupled to theinstrument holder 4 a, which is movably connected to thetrack 450. - The
coupling 550 c may have any suitable form for connectingshaft 550 a to track 450 such that, for example, rotating theshaft 550 a in the direction D8 about axis A ultimately rotates thetrack 450 in the same direction. Since theinstrument 4 andholder 4 a are coupled to thetrack 450, this motion ultimately turns theinstrument 4 andholder 4 a in the direction D8 as well. -
FIG. 16F shows a more detailed view of the screw member and its coupling to thecontrol cylinders 100. In addition to being coupled to theshaft 550 a, thescrew member 550 may havethreads 550 d that mate with opposing threads in ascrew receiving member 552. Generally, though not exclusively, the screw receiving member 52 is coupled to the twocontrol cylinders 100 such that when the twocontrol cylinders 100 are moved in response to the flow of hydraulic fluid from actuation of the control portion of the device, thescrew receiving member 552 moves with thecontrol cylinders 100. In general, thecontrol cylinders 100 may move along the direction D9 (FIG. 16E ) causing thescrew member 550 to rotate in direction D8, which ultimately correspondingly rotatesinstrument 4. - The
shaft 550 a may be rotated such that theinstrument 4 is positioned at any angle in the 360 degrees of rotation along D8 about axis A. This may allow theinstrument 4 and the user U to operate on any portion of the operational environment O that may be accessed with such motion. -
FIG. 17A-17E highlight a third example degree of freedom of the macro controls associated with an extension/retraction of the part of theslave portion 70.FIGS. 17A-17C show how the motion may be actuated in themacro controls 50 b andFIGS. 17D and 17E show an example resultant motion in theslave portion 70. - As shown in
FIGS. 17A-17E , the user may actuate an extension or retraction of theslave portion 70 by translating themacro controls 50 b along direction D10. As shown inFIGS. 17A-17C , the macro controls 50 b can include two sub-sub-portions static portion 300 b, as shown in FIG. 17A.FIG. 17C shows an example gear setup oftransmission assembly 605 that may be used to translate themacro controls 50 b along the direction D10 to actuatecontrol cylinder 100. - For example, translating the macro control sub-portions 600 a and 600 b as shown in
FIGS. 17A and 17B along direction D10 may cause gears in the gear setup oftransmission assembly 605 to turn. In the example variation shown inFIGS. 17A-17C ,static portion 300 b is held stationary with respect toanchor 610, while both macro control sub-portions and 600 b are allowed to move with respect toanchor 610. However, it is to be understood that other configurations are also possible.Anchor 610 may be fixed to another portion of the device, to a stand or to another immobile or mobile object. On the other hand, macro control sub-portion 600 a may be fixed to the micro controls 50 a, as shown inFIG. 17C . Generally, thecontrol cylinder 100 may have one end fixed tomacro control portion 300 b and the other fixed to macro control sub-portion 600 a such that relative motion of these two components causes either compression or expansion of the control cylinder (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B ). When the micro controls 50 a are moved along direction D10 (FIG. 17C ), the macro control sub-portion 600 a may be moved along the same direction causing a relative translation of sub-portion 600 a with respect tomacro control sub-portion 600 b. This, in turn, may compress or open thecontrol cylinder 100 thereby expelling or drawing in hydraulic fluid to the control portion and having the opposite effect on the corresponding control cylinder in fluid communication in theslave portion 70. - The
control cylinder 100,portion 300 b, sub-portion 600 a,sub-portion 600 b and the gear setup oftransmission assembly 605 may be configured such that any suitable combination of motions is possible. For example, moving sub-portions 600 a and 600 b away from one another along direction D10 may ultimately cause fluid to be pumped to theslave portion 70 of the device. In this case, moving sub-portions 600 a and 600 b in an opposite direction, e.g., towards one another along direction D10, may ultimately cause fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. Alternatively, moving sub-portions 600 a and 600 b toward one another along direction D10 may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to theslave portion 70 of the device. In this case, moving sub-portions 600 a and 600 b in an opposite sense, e.g., away from one another along direction D8, may ultimately cause hydraulic fluid to be pumped to the control portion of the device. -
FIGS. 17D and 17E show how the motion ofportion 300 b, sub-portion 600 a,sub-portion 600 b and the gear setup oftransmission assembly 605 described inFIGS. 17A-C may be translated into motion of theslave portion 70 of the device. In the example setup shown inFIG. 17D there is onecontrol cylinder 100 connected to the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40. Fluid is either pumped in or out of thecontrol cylinder 100 inFIGS. 17D and 17E on theslave portion 70 of the device according to motion ofportion 300 b, sub-portion 600 a,sub-portion 600 b and the gear setup oftransmission assembly 605 discussed above with reference toFIGS. 17A-17C . - In
FIG. 17D , thecontrol cylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 receives or expels fluid associated with the third example degree of freedom.FIG. 17E shows the setup inFIG. 17D without theinstrument 4 or theinstrument holder 4 a. As shown inFIG. 17D , theinstrument 4 and theinstrument holder 4 a may be coupled to controlcylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 viacoupling 650 a, such as a linkage. Coupling 650 a may connect thecontrol cylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 and theinstrument holder 4 a in a manner that allows motion in thecontrol cylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 to be translated to theinstrument 4 because theinstrument 4 is coupled to theinstrument holder 4 a. - For example, in one embodiment,
instrument holder 4 a may include coupling 650 a fixedly connected toinstrument 4 at a first position, and acoupling 650 b movably connected toinstrument 4 at a second position. Coupling 650 b may be fixed to a base 40 a of Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 via alinkage 650 c andcoupling 450 a, such as a wheeled carriage. As such, based on actuation of Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40, coupling 650 a translates such actuation to extend or retractinstrument 4 relative tocoupling 650 b. Thus, the connections between Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 andinstrument 4 may be configured to allow extension/retraction ofinstrument 4 at a fixed position controlled by the position ofcoupling 650 b. - For example,
instrument holder 4 a and/or thecouplings instrument 4 to thecontrol cylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 such that, for example, moving thecontrol cylinder 100 in the direction D11 moves theinstrument 4 in direction D12, which may be the same direction as D11. In this embodiment, direction D12 corresponds to a longitudinal axis ofinstrument 4, and such movement is referred to as an extension or retraction ofinstrument 4, e.g., relative to an operational environment O (seeFIG. 1A ). Thus, in one embodiment, thecontrol cylinder 100 in the Extension/Retraction actuator portion 40 may move along the direction D11 shown inFIGS. 17D and 17E causing theinstrument 4 to move along direction D12, as shown inFIGS. 17D-17E . This may allow theinstrument 4 and the user U to operate on any portion of the operational environment O that may be accessed with such motion. - In this section, the micro controls and associated micro motions will be discussed in brief. The details of micro controls and associated micro motions will be discussed more thoroughly with respect to their actuating mechanisms in the section that follows. Although the control cylinders of the micro controls are numbered differently than the
control cylinders 100 associated with the macro controls, it is to be understood that aspects of all control cylinders discussed herein are, in principle, interchangeable. Therefore, each feature and related mechanism discussed in the context ofcontrol cylinders 100 may apply equally well to the control cylinders of the micro controls and the instrument and/or tool discussed below. Similarly, each feature and related mechanism discussed in the context of the control cylinders of the micro controls and the tool discussed below may apply equally well to thecontrol cylinders 100. Similarly, any of the hydraulic components discussed herein are, in principle, interchangeable. All such changes, substitutions and modifications are to be considered within the scope embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 18A shows an overview of four example micro degrees of freedom in aninstrument 4 and/ortool 7 which may be coupled with theslave portion 70 of the device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 18B shows an overview of how the four example micro degrees of freedom shown inFIG. 18A may be actuated in the control portion. The four example degrees of freedom will be discussed in more detail below. Note thatFIG. 18A shows several example slave control cylinders (1410′, 1420′, 1430′ and 1440′) that may be used with the example degrees of freedom discussed herein as well as with additional example degrees of freedom. It should be noted that, while the example degrees of freedom are useful for certain applications, they are not meant to be exhaustive. Other degrees of freedom are within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Indeed, it is possible to modify the existing apparatus as described to encompass either additional or fewer degrees of freedom, as needed. Additionally, although slave control cylinders are illustrated as being located withininstrument 4, one or more of these slave control cylinders can be located external toinstrument 4 and then coupled to internal portions ofinstrument 4 such as via a pushrod, screw, shaft, or the like. Further, mappings that are described between control cylinders incontrol portion 50 and cylinders within or coupled withinstrument 4/tool 7 are provided by way of example, and may be altered from what is shown. Likewise, mappings that are described herein between control cylinders incontrol portion 50 and cylinders inslave portion 70 are provided by way of example, and may be altered from what is shown. Moreover, in some embodiments, control signals generate by macro control portion 50B may be mapped to control micro motions ofinstrument 7/tool 4. In a similar fashion, in some embodiments, control signals generated by micro control portion 50A may be mapped to control micro motions ofslave portion 7. All such modifications should be considered within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. - In
FIG. 18A , one of the example micro degrees of freedom shown is theforearm rotation 1800 a of theinstrument 4 and related components.Forearm rotation 1800 a may allowinstrument 4 to rotate about aprimary axis 1901 of theinstrument 4. This particular degree of freedom is useful for, among other things, positioning theinstrument 4 about a particular area of interest in an operational environment O. For example, theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom can be used to position atool 7, such as scalpel, on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for the making of an incision. Additionally, for example, theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom can be used to sweep a cutting motion with the scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4. In another example, theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom can be used to position atool 7, such as tweezers, on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for grasping a particular object (e.g., an organ or tissue).FIG. 18B shows how theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom may be actuated, in particular by arotating motion 1800 b of the user's forearm in conjunction with the micro controls 50 a about forearm rotate axis F. - Also in
FIG. 18A , another one of the example micro degrees of freedom shown is thewrist bend 1801 a of theinstrument 4 and related components.Wrist bend 1801 a may allowinstrument 4 to bend with respect to the primary axis ofinstrument 4. This particular degree of freedom is useful for, among other things, positioning a portion of theinstrument 4 and/or atool 7 about a particular area of interest in an operational environment O. For example, thewrist bend 1801 a degree of freedom can be used to position a scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for the making of an incision. For instance, thewrist bend 1801 a degree of freedom can be used to sweep a cutting motion with scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4. In another example, thewrist bend 1801 a degree of freedom can be used to position tweezers on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for grasping a particular object (e.g., an organ or tissue).FIG. 18B shows how thewrist bend 1801 a degree of freedom may be actuated, in particular by a bending motion of the user's wrist in conjunction with the micro controls 50 a to rotate 1801 b a portion ofmicro controls 50 a about wrist bend axis W. - Further, in
FIG. 18A , two additional example micro degrees of freedom shown aretip rotation 1802 a andtip grasp 1803 a of theinstrument 4 and related components.Tip rotation 1802 a may allowinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 to rotate aboutprimary axis 1901, or to rotate about asecondary axis 1902 formed after bending a portion ofinstrument 4 relative toprimary axis 1901.Tip grasp 1803 a may allowinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 to bend with respect to theprimary axis 1901 of theinstrument 4, or to bend about asecondary axis 1902 formed after bending a portion ofinstrument 4 relative toprimary axis 1901. Further, for example,tip grasp 1803 a may allow a relative bending or pivoting of two corresponding instrument or tool portions, e.g., pincher arms, to grasp or release an item. These particular degrees of freedom are useful for, among other things, positioning theinstrument 4 and/ortool 7 about a particular area of interest in an operational environment O. For example, thetip rotation 1802 a andtip grasp 1803 a degrees of freedom can be used to position a scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for the making of an incision. Additionally, for example, thetip rotation 1802 a andtip grasp 1803 a degrees of freedom can be used to sweep a cutting motion with scalpel on the end of theinstrument 4. In another example, thetip rotation 1802 a andtip grasp 1803 a degrees of freedom can be used to position tweezers on the end of theinstrument 4 in a position appropriate for grasping or releasing a particular object (e.g., an organ or tissue).FIG. 18B shows how thetip grasp 1803 a degree of freedom may be actuated by rotating 1803 b about grasp axis G, in particular by gripping certain aspects of the micro controls 50 a that will be described in more detail below.FIG. 18B shows how thetip rotation 1802 a degree of freedom may be actuated, in particular by rotating 1802 b certain aspects of the micro controls 50 a, that will be described in more detail below, about tip rotate axis T. -
FIG. 19 shows example micro controls 50 a in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The micro controls 50 a may include anarm holder assembly 1100 and agrasper handle assembly 1200 connected by acentral frame assembly 1300. Thearm holder assembly 1100,grasper handle assembly 1200 andcentral frame assembly 1300 may be configured to allow various inputs 3 (FIG. 1A ), such as linear and/or rotational movements, to generate corresponding outputs 11 (FIG. 1A ) that result in the above-described micro motions. - In one variation of an embodiment of the present invention, the micro controls 50 a control four degrees of freedom, including a forearm rotate 1800 a, a
wrist bend 1801 a, atip rotation 1802 a, and atip grasp 1803 a (seeFIG. 18A ). The user places an arm into thearm holder assembly 1100 and inserting index and middle fingers throughfinger loops grasper handle 1210, which is supported at the distal end of the micro controls 50 a. A user may generally actuate the degrees of freedom of the system by moving one or more aspects of the micro controls 50 a, including thearm holder assembly 1100 and components of thegrasper handle assembly 1200. As shown inFIG. 18B , the user may rotate 1800 b the entire micro controls 50 a to actuate theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom. As also shown inFIG. 18B , the user may rotate 1801 b an aspect of thegrasper handle assembly 1200 to actuate thewrist bend 1801 a degree of freedom and rotate 1802 b another aspect of thegrasper handle assembly 1200 to actuate thetip rotation 1802 a degree of freedom. Further,FIG. 18B also shows that the user may trigger or squeeze other aspects of thegrasper handle assembly 1200 in order to actuate thetip grasp 1803 a degree of freedom by rotating a portion ofmicro controls 50 a about tip grasp axis G. These motions will be discussed in more detail below. - The micro controls 50 a are attached to a lower control assembly, which controls the other three degrees of freedom, namely the larger macro motions of extending the
instrument 4 in and out of the patient and the two tilt axes, forward/backward and left/right (not shown). - Movements of the micro controls 50 a are translated into hydraulic motion by controls that include one or more cylinders, such as a set of master cylinders, a tip rotate
master cylinder 1410, a graspaxis master cylinder 1420, a wristbend master cylinder 1430 and a forearmrotation master cylinder 1440. Themaster cylinders surgical instrument 4. Themaster cylinders master cylinders master cylinders device 1000 and possible detrimental impact on the operational environment a (FIG. 1B-C ), such as on a patient. - In an embodiment,
arm holder assembly 1100 is connected tocentral frame assembly 1300 to providerelative rotation 1800 b about a forearm rotation axis F. For example, thecentral frame assembly 1300 may include aprimary support plate 1310, a forwardcenter axle support 1312, a rearcenter axle support 1314, anupper rack beam 1320, and alower center beam 1330. Acenter axle 1340 is rotatably supported by the forward and rear center axle supports, 1312 and 1314, respectively, which are both fixed on one side to theprimary support plate 1310. Forward and rear hinge brackets, 1342 and 1344, respectively, are fixed to a lower surface of theupper rack beam 1320. Thecenter axle 1340 extends through thehinge brackets center axle 1340 so that theupper rack beam 1320 rotates 1800 b thecenter axle 1340 about a forearm axis of rotation F when the forearm of a user (not shown) rotates. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , the forearmrotation master cylinder 1440 is situated substantially below thearm holder assembly 1100 and supported on the lower center beam by abracket 1442.Rotation 1800 b of the forearm is translated into rotation of thecenter axle 1340 about the forearm rotation axis F which, in turn, may drive apendulum gear 1445 fit to the distal end of thecenter axle 1340 extending forward of the forwardcenter axle support 1312. Thependulum gear 1445 may drive aturn gear 1447 to drive aforearm screw piston 1249, for example, into or out of the forearmrotation master cylinder 1440, depending on the direction of rotation indicated by the forearm. Thescrew piston 1249 may be provided with a sealed nut (not shown) on an end internal to the Forearmrotation master cylinder 1440, for example, the linear movement of which is caused by rotation of thescrew piston 1249. The rotational motion of the forearm is thus translated by thescrew piston 1249 into a linear piston motion which may compress or decompress a hydraulic fluid provided in the Forearmrotation master cylinder 1440. Pressure (or release thereof) is transferred from the forearmrotation master cylinder 1440 to a correspondingslave control cylinder 1440′ (seeFIGS. 5A , 5B, and 18A) via displacement of hydraulic fluid to drive a rotation of the surgical instrument 4 (seeFIG. 18A ) through a hydraulic line (not shown), for example. The hydraulic line may comprise flexible tubing. Although flexible, the tubing may be manufactured from a hard plastic, or with expansion resisting components such as metal fibers, to avoid extensive expansion of the tubing due to pressure and extended use. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the tubing may be supported with a metal-reinforced sleeve, for example, to prevent rupture of the thin wall while maintaining a degree of flexibility for increased modularity and mobility of thedevice 1000. - The hydraulic fluid is preferably sterilized distilled water, however, a saline solution, a perfluorinated hydrocarbon liquid, air or any other physiologically compatible fluid could also be used. A “physiologically compatible fluid” is a fluid that once exposed to tissues and organs, does not exacerbate a reaction, such as a rash or immune response, in the patient, and does not adversely interfere with the normal physiological function of the tissues or organs to which it is exposed. In addition, a physiologically compatible fluid can remain in a patient's body or in contact with a tissue or an organ without the need to remove the fluid.
- Although movements of the micro controls 50 a are described herein as being hydraulically actuated to control associated movements of a slave apparatus, the movements may generate electrical signals that are sent through wires to control the slave portion(s) 70 of the
device 1000. The electrical signal, for example, may actuate a motor in the corresponding slave module to actuate the motion desired. In addition, motors may be used to enhance a hydraulically actuated movement, thus assisting a user in achieving the designated motion with less user applied force, which may be of benefit to the increased endurance of a user, for example, during long procedures. - In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the
wrist bend 1801 a motion of the surgical instrument 4 (seeFIG. 18A ) may be controlled by the wristbend master cylinder 1430. As shown inFIGS. 19-21 , thegrasper handle assembly 1200 includes agrasper frame 1230. One end of thegrasper frame 1230 is connected to theupper rack beam 1320 at a wristbend pivot point 1240 and at the other end to thegrasper handle 1210 at a tiprotation pivot point 1250. A wrist bend,link member 1260 is provided between thegrasper frame 1230 and the wristbend master cylinder 1430. The user may actuate awrist bend 1801 a motion in the surgical instrument 4 (seeFIG. 18A ) by pivoting 1801 b thegrasper frame 1230 around a wrist bend axis W of the wristbend pivot point 1240. The pivoting of thegrasper frame 1230 may push or pull the wristbend link member 1260, which, in turn, may linearly push or pull a piston in the wristbend master cylinder 1430. The corresponding displacement of hydraulic fluid in the wristbend master cylinder 1430 is transferred to aslave control cylinder 1430′ for actuating thewrist bend 1801 a motion in thesurgical instrument 4. As shown inFIG. 22 , the wristbend master cylinder 1430 is secured to theupper rack beam 1320 by abracket 1435. - Various embodiments of the present invention may provide rotational and grasp control of the tip of the instrument 4 (see
FIG. 18A ). As shown inFIGS. 19-21 , the user may insert one or more fingers through each offinger loops grasper handle 1210. To actuate an articulation motion ofinstrument 4, such astip grasp 1803 a motion, the user may squeeze or pushtrigger 1220, causing the trigger to rotate 1803 b about the tip grasp axis G in a counterclockwise or clockwise motion, toward or away from the user. Thus,trigger 1220 is capable of bi-directional user imitated movement. Thetrigger 1220 may be formed with anextension 1221 connected to the graspaxis master cylinder 1420, so that pivoting 1803 b oftrigger 1220 around grasp axis G may push or pullextension 1221, which in turn, may linearly push or pull a piston in the graspaxis master cylinder 1420. The corresponding displacement of hydraulic fluid in the graspaxis master cylinder 1420 forms a control signal that is transferred to aslave control cylinder 1420′ for actuating a motion, such as a grasp motion (e.g.,tip grasp 1803 a motion as shown inFIG. 18A ), insurgical instrument 4. - To assist the user in pushing the
trigger 1220,trigger 1220 may be provided with aflange 1222 that extends away from the main body oftrigger 1220. Theflange 1222 provides a mechanism by which the user may, for example use a thumb to apply pressure againstflange 1222 to forcetrigger 1220 to rotate away from the user, creating the reverse motion from the motion that is created by squeezingtrigger 1220 with one or more fingers that are engagingfinger loop 1214. It is appreciated thatfinger loop 1214 is a portion oftrigger 1220, and thus moves whentrigger 1220 is moved in either of its two opposing directions of movement. Converselyfinger loop 1212, which is also a part ofgrasper handle 1210, remains immobile in response to movement oftrigger 1220 andfinger loop 1214 through user motion inputs such as squeezing or pushing. As discussed above movement oftrigger 1220 creates a control signal. In one embodiment, squeezing (pulling)trigger 1220 may causetip graspers 1730 onsurgical instrument 4 to close in vice-like fashion (seeFIG. 18A ). Conversely, pushingtrigger 1220 by applying pressure toflange 1222 may causetip graspers 1730 to open. Accordingly, a user may control the speed and degree of the tip grasping motion by applying more or less force to trigger 1220 and setting the relative position oftrigger 1220 in relation to being either fully open or fully closed. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , thegrasper handle 1210 may be free to rotate 1802 b around the tip rotate axis T to providerotational control 1802 a of the tip of the instrument 4 (seeFIG. 18A ). Thegrasper handle 1210 may be pivotally mounted onto the grasper frame at the tip rotatepivot point 1250. Asector gear 1251 may be coupled to thegrasper handle 1210 so thatrotation 1802 b of thegrasper handle 1210 about the tip rotatepivot point 1250 causes thesector gear 1251 to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise. Thesector gear 1251 may work in tandem with amultiplier gear 1253 and asecond sector gear 1254 attached to the tip rotatemaster cylinder 1410 to translate the rotational movement of thegrasper handle 1210 into linear motion of a screw piston, for example, in the tip rotatemaster cylinder 1410. As shown inFIG. 20 , the tip rotatemaster cylinder 1410 may mount onto thegrasper frame 1230 and thegrasper frame 1230 may provide rotatable support to thegears grasper handle 1210 about the tiprotation pivot point 1250 may linearly push or pull the screw piston, for example, in the tip rotatemaster cylinder 1410. The corresponding displacement of hydraulic fluid in the tip rotatemaster cylinder 1410 is transferred to aslave control cylinder 1410′ for actuating the tip rotatemotion 1802 a in the instrument 4 (seeFIG. 18A ). - The
arm holder assembly 1100 has a support structure that includes left and right mounting plates, 1110 and 1120, respectively, supporting anarm bracket 1130. Ahorizontal arm rest 1140, a verticalleft arm support 1142 and a verticalright arm support 1144 are mounted to thearm bracket 1130 to effectively cradle and support the arm of the user during a procedure. Thehorizontal arm rest 1140 may be formed to be adjustable left or right by sliding along thearm bracket 1130. - The
arm holder assembly 1100 may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. The left and right mountingplates vertical slots lateral support 1150, e.g., a bolt, may be provided that extends through thevertical slots plates FIG. 21 ) and a handle clamp 1154. By releasing the handle clamp 1154, thearm holder assembly 1100 may be raised or lowered. By locking the handle clamp 1154, thearm holder assembly 1100 may be locked into a set position. As shown inFIGS. 19-21 , the left and/or right mountingplates scale 1115 or similar markings to indicate the relative adjusted height of thearm holder assembly 1100. In this manner, the user may note the height indication for quick and easy vertical adjustment of thearm holder assembly 1100, each time using thedevice 1000. As shown inFIG. 21 , thelateral support 1150 connects thearm holder assembly 1100 to the horizontalupper rack beam 1320 through abrace mechanism 1170. Thebrace mechanism 1170 engages and surrounds theupper rack beam 1320 while permitting linear movement of thebrace mechanism 1170 along theupper rack beam 1320. By sliding thearm holder assembly 1100 longitudinally along theupper rack beam 1320, a horizontal distance between thearm holder assembly 1100 and thegrasper handle 1210 may be adjusted. Similar markings may be provided on theupper rack beam 1320, for example, to allow quick and easy horizontal adjustment of thearm holder assembly 1100. Thearm holder assembly 1100 may thus be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to provide a comfortable and customizable arrangement for supporting the user's arm during the length of a procedure. - Although embodiments of the invention have been shown primarily as being manually and/or hydraulically actuated, it is to be understood that one or more embodiments of the invention may alternatively or additionally be electrically actuated or actuated via computer interface. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In one variation, embodiments of the present invention are directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of such a
computer system 2300 is shown inFIG. 23 . For example,computer system 2300 may receive input 3 (FIG. 1A ) and generateoutput 11 using electrical control signals to control motors to perform the above-described movements. -
Computer system 2300 is an example computer system which may be utilized in conjunction with some embodiments ofdevice 1.Computer system 2300 includes one or more processors, such asprocessor 2310. Theprocessor 2310 is connected to a communication infrastructure 2320 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software embodiments are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement various aspects and embodiments of the present invention using other computer systems and/or architectures. -
Computer system 2300 can include adisplay interface 2330 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 2320 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on thedisplay unit 2340.Computer system 2300 also includes amain memory 2350, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include asecondary memory 2360. Thesecondary memory 2360 may include, for example, ahard disk drive 2362 and/or aremovable storage drive 2364, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. Theremovable storage drive 2364 reads from and/or writes to aremovable storage unit 2365 in a well-known manner.Removable storage unit 2365, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc., which is read by and written toremovable storage drive 2364. As will be appreciated, theremovable storage unit 2365 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software (computer readable instructions for control of processor 2310) and/or data. - In alternative variations,
secondary memory 2360 may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded intocomputer system 2300. Such devices may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 2367 and aninterface 2366. Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and otherremovable storage units 2367 andinterfaces 2366, which allow software/instructions and data to be transferred from theremovable storage unit 2367 tocomputer system 2300. -
Computer system 2300 may also include acommunications interface 2370.Communications interface 2370 allows software and data to be transferred betweencomputer system 2300 and external devices. Examples ofcommunications interface 2370 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software/instructions and data transferred viacommunications interface 2370 may be in the form ofsignals 2371, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received bycommunications interface 2370. Thesesignals 2371 arc provided tocommunications interface 2370 via a communications path (e.g., channel) 2372. Thispath 2372 carriessignals 2371 and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communications channels. In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable/readable medium” are used to refer generally to tangible storage media such as aremovable storage drive 2364/removable storage unit 2365, and a hard disk installed inhard disk drive 2362. These computer program products provide software or other forms of instruction toprocessor 2310 and/or other portions ofcomputer system 2300, which can instructcomputer system 2300 to carry out certain actions and/or processes. - Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic or instructions) are stored in
main memory 2350 and/orsecondary memory 2360. Computer programs may also be received viacommunications interface 2370. Such computer programs, when executed byprocessor 2310 and/or other portions ofcomputer system 2300, enable thecomputer system 2300 to perform the features in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable theprocessor 2310 to perform the features of certain aspects of embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of thecomputer system 2300. - In one variation where aspects of the present invention are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product (e.g., a computer readable storage media/medium) and loaded into
computer system 2300 usingremovable storage drive 2364 and/orhard drive 2362. The control logic/instructions, when executed by theprocessor 2310, cause theprocessor 2310 to perform the functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, as described herein. In another variation, one or more aspects of the present invention are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). For example, implementation of a hardware state machine so as to perform one or more of the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). -
FIG. 24A is a side view of anexample grasper handle 1200 which includes a thumbwheel and a surgical assistant ratchet for use with a hand articulated control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 24A illustrates features such asthumbwheel 2410 andsurgical assistant ratchet 2450, either or both of which may be included in some embodiments of micro control assembly 50A. - In an embodiment,
thumbwheel 2410 is connected to grasper handle at a location which allows a user thumb to provide relative rotational motion in either of the two directions, illustrated byarrows 2430, about axis TW. Such rotational movement is spins agear 2430 which interacts with other components such as a screw piston (not visible) to convert the rotational motion into linear motion which movesmaster cylinder 2440 in one of two linear directions depending on the direction of rotation direction ofthumbwheel 2410. The linear movement ofmaster cylinder 2440 displaces hydraulic fluid in response to rotation ofthumbwheel 2410. This displacement of hydraulic fluid forms a control signal which in one embodiment may serve the same purpose as a control signal generated by rotation of a forearm. Similarly, in one embodiment,thumbwheel 2410 may be coupled with a gear such as a worm gear which is turned in response to rotation ofthumbwheel 2410, and then translates rotation ofthumbwheel 2410 into linear motion coupled to a shaft ofmaster cylinder 2440. Thus, with reference toFIGS. 18A and 18B , instead of the user may rotating 1800 b the entire micro controls 50 a to actuate theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom, a user may rotatethumbwheel 2410 about axis TW to actuate theforearm rotation 1800 a degree of freedom ofinstrument 4. Moreover, in some embodiments, the control signals generated by rotation ofthumbwheel 2410 may be mapped (e.g., hydraulically coupled to one or more slave hydraulic cylinders) to effect other movements ofinstrument 4 and ortool 7 besidesforearm rotation 1800 a. - Referring again to
FIG. 24A , surgical assistant “ratchet” 2450 may be actuated by the same user thumb which is used to actuatethumbwheel 2410.Lever 2455 ofratchet 2450 can be rotated by the user to mechanically lock one of the seven degrees of freedom ofcontrol portion 50. For example, in oneembodiment ratchet 2450 can be utilized o lock an axis of movement associated with a grasp/dissect motion input oftool 7. In this manner, ratchet 2450 is used to lock the jaws of an attachedinstrument 4 down on a piece of tissue, needle, artery, vessel, etc. to allow the surgeon to loosen her grip onfinger loop 1214 oftrigger 1220. This reduces fatigue for the surgeon and facilitates a more controlled grip on the tissue or matter between the jaws than if the surgeon had to maintain constant pressure onfinger loop 1214. In one embodiment, ratchet 2450 can be set into one of three positions which are selected by the surgeon via rotation oflever 2455. Although not depicted as such, in some embodiments,lever 2455 ofratchet 2450 may be incorporated intothumb flange 1222. -
FIG. 24B illustrates an opposite side view fromFIG. 24A , and depicts an inner plane ofgrasper handle 1200, according to an embodiment. As can be seenlever 2455 is coupled with a single tooth pawl component 2453 (illustrated in threepossible positions teeth 2451 which is a stationary component mounted withingrasper handle 1200.Cam 2452 is pivotally mounted to trigger 1220, which sets pawl 2453 into the correct orientation according to the position which the surgeon activates via lever 2550 (FIG. 24A ).Spring 2454 is a compression spring which is fixed on a distal end from pawl 2453 and used to apply a force against pawl 2453 to maintain correct orientation as set bycam 2452. According to one embodiment, the three positions ofcam 2450, which may be selected via rotation oflever 2455 are: 1) “released,” which allows a user to temporarily disengageratchet 2450, such as to open jaws of atool 7; 2) “locked,” which allows a user to lock a position oftrigger 1220, such as to close jaws of atool 7 and keep them closed without continually manually applying closing force; and 3) “defeated,” which allows a user to disengageratchet 2450 so thattrigger 1220 can be opened and closed without engagement between rack ofteeth 2451 and pawl 2453. By virtue of controlling a degree of freedom of movement of control portion 50 (and thus locking down or allowing a user input),ratchet 2450 is one implementation of a function control mechanism. -
FIG. 25 is a flow diagram 2500 of an example method of manipulating an articulating surgical instrument, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, flow diagram 2500 illustrates an example method of manipulating articulatingsurgical instrument 4 in response to input viacontrol portion 50. Although specific procedures are disclosed in flow diagram 2500, such procedures are example. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performing various other procedures or variations of the procedures recited in flow diagram 2500. It is appreciated that the procedures in flow diagram 2500 may be performed in an order different than presented, and that not all of the procedures described in flow diagram 2500 may be performed in every embodiment. In the description of the procedures of the method of flow diagram 2500, reference will be made to elements ofFIGS. 1A-23 , to include reference to control portion 50 (and components thereof), slave portion 70 (and components thereof), and/or instrument 4 (and components thereof). - At 2510 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, an articulating surgical instrument is pivoted about a pivot point external to an operating environment. That is, in one embodiment the articulating surgical instrument is the instrument which the device remotely controls. The articulating surgical instrument is associated with or a portion of a “device” for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument.
Device 1 is one example of such a device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument, andinstrument 4 is one example of an articulating surgical instrument that may be controlled bydevice 1. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 1A , 1C, 7-12A, 14D, 15A, 16D, 16E, 17D, and 17E articulatingsurgical instrument 4 is coupled with aslave portion 70 ofdevice 1. - “Remote control” and “remotely controlling” as used herein mean that a user can manipulate
instrument 4 while being located remotely from the patient or operating room, by controllinginstrument 4 remotely via manipulation of a control, such ascontrol portion 50. The distance of the remoteness may vary from control from a few feet away to control from a separate room frominstrument 4, or to control via tele-manipulation from much greater distances away fromsurgical instrument 4. When the remote location of control is fairly close, such as a few feet away or in the next room, there may be direct coupling, such as via hydraulic means, electrical means, mechanical means, and the like betweencontrol portion 50 andslave portion 70 and/or betweencontrol portion 50 and articulatingsurgical instrument 4. When the distance of remote control is great, such as miles, there may be telecommunications involved to communicate control signals generated atcontrol portion 50 such that they are replicated at the location ofslave portion 70 andinstrument 4. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 14A-14E andFIGS. 15A-15E , in one embodiment the pivoting about the pivot point occurs in response to a movement along a first degree of freedom of all or some portion ofcontrol portion 50 ofdevice 1. The movement along a first degree of freedom of movement can be imparted to controlportion 50 by a human shoulder, arm, and/or hand of a user ofdevice 1. In one embodiment, the pivoting of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 about the pivot point occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid that is generated incontrol portion 50 by the movement along the first degree of freedom. As has been described previously, a user may input a first motion, by swiveling the entiremicro control assembly 50 a along arc D2 aboutpivot point 401.Macro control portion 50 b then translates swiveling motion along arc D2 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of control cylinder(s) 100 to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components ofslave 70 that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinder(s) inslave portion 70. This causesinstrument holder 4 a and the instrument 4 (coupled thereto) to pivot about Pivot Point 2 (FIGS. 15A and 15B ). In one embodiment,Pivot Point 2 is designed to be located external to an operating environment (that is, external to the body of a patient being operated upon), however in other embodiments,Pivot Point 2 may be within an operating environment. In other embodiments the translated movement may be in a different plane may be produced or motion may be produced depending on the orientation of components in a slave portion. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 14A-14E and 15A-15E for further description of the mechanics and process of pivotinginstrument 4 about a pivot point in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2520 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, the articulating surgical instrument may be laterally swiveled about a shaft of the
slave portion 70. In one embodiment, such a shaft is external to the operating environment. This lateral swiveling occurs in response to movement of all or some portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a second degree of freedom. The movement along the second degree of freedom can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first degree of freedom. The second degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first degree of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 16A-16F , in one embodiment, this swiveling motions comprises swiveling (see arc D8 ofFIGS. 16D-16E )instrument 4 about shaft 550 (as is depicted and described in conjunction withFIGS. 16D-16F ) in response to a motion being imparted tomacro controls 50 b, such as swivelingmacro controls 50 b along arc D6 (seeFIG. 16A ). In one embodiment, the laterally swiveling of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 aboutshaft 550 a occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid generated in the control portion by the movement along the second degree of freedom. In one embodiment,macro control portion 50 b translates swiveling motion along arc D6 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100 to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components of slave 70 (such as motion ofshaft 550 a) that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinder(s) inslave portion 70. This causesinstrument 4, which is coupled toshaft 550 a, to laterally swivel about arc D8 (FIGS. 16D-16E ). It is appreciated that other motions, swiveling or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withinslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 16A-16E for further description of the mechanics and process of laterally swivelinginstrument 4 along arc D8 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2530 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, the articulating surgical instrument is translated along a longitudinal axis of the articulating surgical instrument. In one embodiment, this longitudinal axis extends through the pivot point (e.g., Pivot Point 2) about which the articulating surgical instrument can be pivoted. This translating along the longitudinal axis occurs in response to movement of at least a portion of
control portion 50 along a third degree of freedom. The movement along the third degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human arm that is used to impart motion along the first and second degrees of freedom. The third degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first and second degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 17A-17E , in one embodiment, this comprises extending and retractingactuator 40 ofslave portion 70 along direction D11 (as is depicted and described in conjunction withFIGS. 17D-16E ) in response to a motion being imparted tomacro controls 50 b, such as translatingmacro controls 50 b along direction D10 (seeFIGS. 17A-17C ). Asinstrument 4 is coupled withactuator 40 viainstrument holder 4 a, translation ofactuator 40 along direction D10 correspondingly translatesinstrument 4 along direction D12. In one embodiment, the translating of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 along direction D12 occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid generated in the control portion by the movement along the third degree of freedom. In one embodiment,macro control portion 50 b translates the motion along direction D10 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100 to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components of slave 70 (such as motion ofactuator 40 along direction D11) that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinders inslave portion 70. This causesinstrument 4, which is coupled toactuator 40 viainstrument holder 4 a, to correspondingly translate (extend/retract) along direction D12 (FIGS. 17D-16E ). It is appreciated that other motions, translating or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withinslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 17A-17E for further description of the mechanics and process of translatinginstrument 4 along direction D12 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2540 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, the articulating surgical instrument is rotated about a primary axis of the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such rotation by depictingrotation 1800 a ofinstrument 4 aboutprimary axis 1901. This rotation about a primary axis of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a fourth degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B ,rotation 1800 b ofarm holder assembly 1100 ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the fourth degree of freedom. The movement along the fourth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human arm that is used to impart motion along the first, second, and third degrees of freedom. The fourth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, and third degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, this comprises rotating 1800 ainstrument 4 aboutaxis 1901 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as rotating 1800 barm holder assembly 1100 about axis F or alternatively by rotating thumbwheel 2410 (as is described in conjunction withFIG. 24A ). In one embodiment, rotating articulatingsurgical instrument 4 aboutprimary axis 1901 occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the rotation ofarm holder assembly 1100 in the fourth degree of freedom or the rotation ofthumbwheel 2410 in a fourth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates rotation ofarm holder assembly 1100 about axis F or the rotation ofthumbwheel 2410 into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders of instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1440′). This causesinstrument 4, to rotate 1800 a aboutprimary axis 1901. It is appreciated that other motions, rotating or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withininstrument 4 and/orslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process ofrotating instrument 4 about a primary axis ofinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2550 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, a wrist bend motion is actuated in the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such a wrist bend bywrist bend motion 1801 a ofinstrument 4. Thiswrist bend motion 1801 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a fifth degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , pivoting 1801 b ofgrasper frame 1230 around axis W ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the fifth degree of freedom. The movement along the fifth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third and fourth degrees of freedom. For example, the fifth degree of motion may be imparted by using a wrist bend motion of the user's wrist while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The fifth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, and fourth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, this comprises bending 1801 a a portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as pivotinggrasper frame 1230 ofmicro controls 50 a about axis W. In one embodiment, bending 1801 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the pivoting ofgrasper frame 1230 in the fifth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates pivoting ofgrasper frame 1230 about axis W into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1430′) to effect abending motion 1801 a ofinstrument 4. It is appreciated that other motions, bending or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withininstrument 4 and/orslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing awrist bend motion 1801 a withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2560 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment, a tip rotate motion is actuated in the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such a tip rotatemotion 1802 a ofinstrument 4. This tip rotatemotion 1802 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a sixth degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , rotating 1802b grasper handle 1210 around axis T ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the sixth degree of freedom. The movement along the sixth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degrees of freedom. For example, the sixth degree of motion may be imparted by using a wrist rotate motion while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The sixth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, this comprises rotating 1802 a a tip portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such asrotating grasper handle 1210 ofmicro controls 50 a about axis T. In one embodiment, tip rotating 1802 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the rotating ofgrasper handle 1210 in the sixth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translatesrotation 1802 b ofgrasper handle 1210 about axis T into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1410′) to effect atip rotating motion 1802 a ofinstrument 4. It is appreciated that other motions, tip rotating or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withininstrument 4 and/orslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing a tip rotate motion withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2570 of flow diagram 2500, in one embodiment a tip grasp motion is actuated in the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such atip grasp motion 1803 a ofinstrument 4. Thistip grasp motion 1803 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a seventh degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , rotating 1803b trigger 1220 around grasp axis G (by squeezing or pushing trigger 1220) ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the seventh degree of freedom. The movement along the seventh degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom. For example, the seventh degree of motion may be imparted by squeezingtrigger 1220 with one or more fingers or pushingthumb flange 1222 with a thumb or with the same fingers used for squeezing, while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The seventh degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, this comprises performing atip grasp motion 1803 a with a tip portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as a squeeze or push oftrigger 1220 ofmicro controls 50 a. In one embodiment, tip grasping 1803 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the pivoting oftrigger 1220 in the seventh degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates pivoting of,trigger 1220 about axis G into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100. Hydraulic lines may then transmit control signals, in the form of displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated from the linear motion of master control cylinder(s) 100, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1420′) to effect atip grasping motion 1803 a (which can include both open and close motions of the tip) ofinstrument 4. It is appreciated that other motions, grasping or otherwise, can be produced by orienting components in a different fashion withininstrument 4 and/orslave portion 70. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing a tip grasping motion withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1 -
FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a flow diagram 2600 of an example method of articulation control signal generation, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, flow diagram 2600 illustrates an example method ofcontrol portion 50 generating articulation control signals for the control ofslave portion 70 and/or articulatingsurgical instrument 4. Although specific procedures are disclosed in flow diagram 2600, such procedures are example. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performing various other procedures or variations of the procedures recited in flow diagram 2600. It is appreciated that the procedures in flow diagram 2600 may be performed in an order different than presented, and that not all of the procedures described in flow diagram 2600 may be performed in every embodiment. In the description of the procedures of the method of flow diagram 2600, reference will be made to elements ofFIGS. 1A-23 , to include reference to control portion 50 (and components thereof), slave portion 70 (and components thereof), and instrument 4 (and components thereof). - At 2610 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a first control signal is generated within the control portion in response to movement along a first degree of freedom of a control portion of a “device” for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument. The first control controls pivot of an articulating surgical instrument, associated with the device. That is, in one embodiment the articulating surgical instrument is the instrument which the device remotely controls. The pivoting takes place about a pivot point which, in one embodiment, is located external to an operating environment (where the operating environment is considered to be the environment within a patient being operated on by the articulating surgical instrument).
Device 1 is one example of such a device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument,control portion 50 is one example of a control portion, andinstrument 4 is one example of an articulating surgical instrument that may be controlled bycontrol portion 50 ofdevice 1. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 1A , 1C, 7-12A, 14D, 15A, 16D, 16E, 17D, and 17E articulatingsurgical instrument 4 is coupled with aslave portion 70 ofdevice 1. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 14A-14E andFIGS. 15A-15E , in one embodiment the pivoting about the pivot point occurs in response to a movement along a first degree of freedom of all or some portion ofcontrol portion 50 ofdevice 1. The movement along a first degree of freedom of movement can be imparted to controlportion 50 by a human shoulder, arm, and/or hand of a user ofdevice 1. In one embodiment, the pivoting of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 about the pivot point occurs in response to a first control signal, in the form of a third displacement of hydraulic fluid, that is generated in the control portion by the movement along the first degree of freedom. In one embodiment, a user may input a motion in a first degree of freedom of motion, by swiveling the entiremicro control assembly 50 a along arc D2 aboutpivot point 401. In one embodiment,macro control portion 50 b ofcontrol portion 50 then translates swiveling motion along arc D2 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the first control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit this first control to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components ofslave 70 that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinder(s) inslave portion 70. In this, the first control signal causesinstrument holder 4 a and the instrument 4 (coupled thereto) and portions ofslave portion 70 to pivot about Pivot Point 2 (FIGS. 15A and 15B ). In one embodiment,Pivot Point 2 is designed to be located external to an operating environment (that is, external to the body of a patient being operated upon), however in other embodiments,Pivot Point 2 may be within an operating environment. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 14A-14E and 15A-15E for further description of the mechanics and process of pivotinginstrument 4 about a pivot point in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2620 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a second control signal is generated within the control portion in response to movement of the control portion along a second degree of freedom. The second control signal controls lateral swivel of the articulating surgical instrument about a shaft of the slave portion. The shaft is located external to the operating environment. This lateral swiveling occurs in response to movement of all or some portion of
control portion 50 along a second degree of freedom. The movement along the second degree of freedom can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first degree of freedom. The second degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first degree of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 16A-16F , in one embodiment, the swiveling controlled by the second control signal comprises swiveling (see arc D8 ofFIGS. 16D-16E )instrument 4 about shaft 550 (as is depicted and described in conjunction withFIGS. 16D-16F ). The second control signal is generated in response to a motion being imparted tomacro controls 50 b, such as swivelingmacro controls 50 b along arc D6 (seeFIG. 16A ). In one embodiment, the laterally swiveling of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 aboutshaft 550 a occurs in response to a second control signal, in the form of a second displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated in the control portion by the movement along the second degree of freedom. In one embodiment,macro control portion 50 b ofcontrol portion 50 translates swiveling motion along arc D6 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the second control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the second control signal to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components of slave 70 (such as motion ofshaft 550 a) that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinder(s) inslave portion 70. In this manner, the second control signal causesinstrument 4, which is coupled toshaft 550 a, to laterally swivel about arc D8 (FIGS. 16D-16E ). In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 16A-16E for further description of the mechanics and process of laterally swivelinginstrument 4 along arc D8 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2630 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a third control signal is generated in response to movement of the control portion along a third degree of freedom. The third control signal controls translation of the articulating surgical instrument along a longitudinal axis of the articulating surgical instrument. In one embodiment, this longitudinal axis extends through the pivot point (e.g., Pivot Point 2) about which the articulating surgical instrument can be pivoted. This translating along the longitudinal axis occurs in response to movement of at least a portion of
control portion 50 along a third degree of freedom. The movement along the third degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first and second degrees of freedom. The third degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first and second degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 17A-17E , in one embodiment, the longitudinal translation controlled by the third control signal comprises control cylinder 100 (of extending and retractingactuator 40 of slave portion 70) moving along direction D11 (as is depicted and described in conjunction withFIGS. 16E-17D ). The third control signal is generated in response to a motion being imparted tomacro controls 50 b, such as translatingmacro controls 50 b along direction D10 (seeFIGS. 17A-17C ). Asinstrument 4 is coupled with extending/retractingactuator 40 viainstrument holder 4 a, translation ofactuator 40 along direction D10 correspondingly translatesinstrument 4 along direction D12. In one embodiment, the translating of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 along direction D12 occurs in response to a third control signal, in the form of a third displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the movement along the third degree of freedom.Macro control portion 50 b translates motion along direction D10 to a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the third control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the third control signal to one or more correspondingslave control cylinders 100 inslave portion 70 to effect motion of components of slave 70 (such as motion ofactuator 40 along direction D11) that are coupled to the corresponding slave control cylinders inslave portion 70. In this manner, the third control signal causesinstrument 4, which is coupled toactuator 40 viainstrument holder 4 a, to correspondingly translate (extend/retract) along direction D12 (FIGS. 17D-16E ). In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 17A-17E for further description of the mechanics and process of translatinginstrument 4 along direction D12 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2640 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a fourth control signal is generated within the control portion in response to rotation of an arm holder assembly of the control portion in a fourth degree of freedom. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the fourth control signal is generated within the control portion in response to rotation of
thumbwheel 2410 in a fourth degree of freedom. The fourth control signal controls rotation of the articulating surgical instrument about a primary axis of the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such rotation by depictingrotation 1800 a ofinstrument 4 aboutprimary axis 1901. With reference toFIG. 18B ,rotation 1800 b ofarm holder assembly 1100 ofmicro controls 50 a orthumb wheel 2410 ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the fourth degree of freedom causes generation of the fourth control signal. The movement along the fourth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, and third degrees of freedom. The fourth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, and third degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, the motion controlled by the fourth control signals comprises rotating 1800 ainstrument 4 aboutaxis 1901 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as rotating 1800 barm holder assembly 1100 about axis F. In one embodiment, rotating articulatingsurgical instrument 4 aboutprimary axis 1901 occurs in response to a fourth control signal, in the form of a fourth displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the rotation ofarm holder assembly 1100 in the fourth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates rotation ofarm holder assembly 1100 about axis F or rotation ofthumbwheel 2410 into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the fourth control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the fourth control signal to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders of instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1440′). In this manner, the fourth control signal causesinstrument 4, to rotate 1800 a aboutprimary axis 1901. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process ofrotating instrument 4 about a primary axis ofinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2650 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a fifth control signal is generated within the control portion in response to pivoting of a grasper handle assembly of the control portion in a fifth degree of freedom. The fifth control signal controls actuation of a wrist bend motion in the articulating surgical instrument. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such a wrist bend bywrist bend motion 1801 a ofinstrument 4. Thiswrist bend motion 1801 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a fifth degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , pivoting 1801 b ofgrasper frame 1230 around axis W ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the fifth degree of freedom. The movement along the fifth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third and fourth degrees of freedom. For example, the fifth degree of motion may be imparted by using awrist bend motion 1801 b of the user's wrist while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The fifth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, and fourth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, the motion controlled by the fifth control signal comprises bending 1801 a a portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as pivotinggrasper frame 1230 ofmicro control 50 a about axis W. In one embodiment, bending 1801 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a fifth control signal, in the form of a fifth displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the pivoting ofgrasper frame 1230 in the fifth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates pivoting ofgrasper frame 1230 about axis W into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the fifth control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the fifth control signal, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1430′) to effect abending motion 1801 a ofinstrument 4. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing a wrist bend motion withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2660 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a sixth control signal is generated within the control portion. The sixth control signal controls actuation of a tip rotate motion in the articulating surgical instrument. The sixth control signal is generated in response to rotation of said grasper handle assembly in a sixth degree of freedom. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such a tip rotatemotion 1802 a ofinstrument 4. This tip rotatemotion 1802 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a sixth degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , rotating 1802b grasper handle 1210 around axis T ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the sixth degree of freedom. The movement along the sixth degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degrees of freedom. For example, the sixth degree of motion may be imparted by using a wrist rotate motion while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The sixth degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, the motion controlled by the sixth control signal comprises rotating 1802 a a tip portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such asrotating grasper handle 1210 ofmicro controls 50 a about axis T. In one embodiment, tip rotating 1802 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a sixth control signal, in the form of a sixth displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the rotating ofgrasper handle 1210 in the sixth degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translatesrotation 1802 b ofgrasper handle 1210 about axis T into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the sixth control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the sixth control signal, to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1410′) to effect atip rotating motion 1802 a ofinstrument 4. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing a tip rotate motion withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. - At 2670 of flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, a seventh control signal is generated within the control portion. The seventh control signal controls actuation of a tip grasp motion in the articulating surgical instrument in response to pivoting of a trigger of the grasper handle assembly in a seventh degree of freedom. According to one embodiment,
FIG. 18A illustrates one example of such atip grasp motion 1803 a ofinstrument 4. Thistip grasp motion 1803 a of the articulating surgical instrument occurs in response to movement of a portion ofcontrol portion 50 along a seventh degree of freedom. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B , rotating 1803b trigger 1220 around grasp axis G (by squeezing or pushing trigger 1220) ofmicro controls 50 a can comprise the movement along the seventh degree of freedom. The movement along the seventh degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 can be imparted to controlportion 50 by the same human shoulder, arm, and/or hand used to impart motion along the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom. For example, the seventh degree of motion may be imparted by squeezingfinger loop 1214 oftrigger 1220 with one or more fingers or pushingtrigger thumb flange 1222 with a thumb or pushing onfinger loop 1214 with the same finger(s) used for squeezing, while the user graspsgrasper handle assembly 1200. The seventh degree of freedom is a different degree of freedom of movement ofcontrol portion 50 than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom. - As has been described herein in conjunction with
FIGS. 18A-18B , in one embodiment, the motion controlled the seventh control signal comprises performing atip grasp motion 1803 a with a tip portion ofinstrument 4 in response to a motion being imparted tomicro controls 50 a, such as a squeeze or push oftrigger 1220 ofmicro controls 50 a. In one embodiment, tip grasping 1803 a in articulatingsurgical instrument 4 occurs in response to a seventh control signal, in the form of a seventh displacement of hydraulic fluid, generated incontrol portion 50 by the pivoting oftrigger 1220 in the seventh degree of freedom. For example, in one embodiment,micro control portion 50 a translates pivoting oftrigger 1220 about axis G into a linear motion of one or moremaster control cylinders 100 to generate the seventh control signal. Hydraulic lines may then transmit the seventh control signal to one or more corresponding slave control cylinders in instrument 4 (such asslave control cylinder 1420′) to effect atip grasping motion 1803 a (which can include both open and close motions of the tip) ofinstrument 4. In the interest of brevity and clarity, reference is made toFIGS. 18A and 18B for further description of the mechanics and process of performing a tip grasping motion withinstrument 4 in response to motion imparted by a user to controlportion 50 ofdevice 1. -
FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram 2700 of an example method of remotely controlledsurgical device 1 control signal generation, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, flow diagram 2700 illustrates an example method ofcontrol portion 50 generating control signals. These control signals can comprise articulation control signals for the control ofslave portion 70 and/or articulatingsurgical instrument 4. These control signals can also comprise one or more function control signals for controlling a function associated with remotely controlledsurgical device 1. A function control signal may be generated to control a function associated with any portion ofdevice 1, including:control portion 50,slave portion 70, and/or articulatingsurgical instrument 4. In some instances a function control signal may include the generation of no signal at all, such as by locking a control signal in a manner that it cannot be altered by a user input (e.g., via ratchet 2450). Although specific procedures are disclosed in flow diagram 2700, such procedures are example. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performing various other procedures or variations of the procedures recited in flow diagram 2700. It is appreciated that the procedures in flow diagram 2700 may be performed in an order different than presented, and that not all of the procedures described in flow diagram 2700 may be performed in every embodiment. In the description of the procedures of the method of flow diagram 2700, reference will be made to various elements ofFIGS. 1A-23 , and 26A and 26B to include reference to control portion 50 (and components thereof), slave portion 70 (and components thereof), and instrument 4 (and components thereof). - At 2710 of flow diagram 2700, in one embodiment, a macro motion control signal is generated within the control portion. The macro motion control signal is configured for controlling a macro motion associated with an articulating surgical instrument of a remotely controlled surgical device. The macro motion control signal is generated in response to movement of all or a part of a first set of
controls 50 b (which are a subset of control portion 50) in one of a first plurality of degrees of freedom. As previously described in 2610, 2620, and 2630 of the method of flow diagram 2600,macro controls 50 b can be moved in at least three separate degrees of freedom of movement (described in conjunction with the method of flow diagram 2600 as first, second, and third degrees of freedom of movement) to generate macro control signals for controlling movements ofslave portion 70 which is coupled to and thus movesinstrument 4 in one or more macro motions. - With reference to flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, an shoulder, arm, and/or hand of a user may of input movements to
macro controls 50 b in any of these three separate degrees of freedom of movement. For example, an input in the first degree of freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b to generate an articulation control signal for controlling pivot of an articulatingsurgical instrument 4 ofdevice 1; while an input in the second degree freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b generate a control signal for control lateral swivel of the articulatingsurgical instrument 4 about a shaft of theslave portion 70; and while an input in the third degree of freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b to generate a control signal control for controlling translation (extension/retraction) of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 along a longitudinal axis of the articulatingsurgical instrument 4. Any of the inputs in the first plurality of degrees of freedom of movement may occur simultaneously with one another or independently in time from one another. - As previously described, in some embodiments, a macro motion control signal may comprise a displacement of hydraulic fluid within
control portion 50 that may then be coupled via hydraulic lines to one or more control cylinders withinslave portion 70 as hydraulic signals for controlling of the motion of these one or more slave control cylinders. In other embodiments, the macro motion control signal may comprise an electrical signal, a mechanical signal (movement of a cable or rod) or some combination of hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical signals. - At 2720 of flow diagram 2700, in one embodiment, a micro motion control signal is generated within the control portion. The micro motion control signal is configured for controlling a micro motion of the articulating surgical instrument of a remotely controlled surgical device. The micro motion control signal is generated in response to movement of all or a part of a set of
micro controls 50 a (which are a subset of control portion 50) in one of a second plurality of degrees of freedom. As previously described in 2610, 2620, and 2630 of the method of flow diagram 2600,macro controls 50 b can be moved in at least four separate degrees of freedom of movement (described in conjunction with the method of flow diagram 2600 as fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh degrees of freedom of movement) to generate macro control signals for controlling movements ofslave portion 70 which is coupled to and thus movesinstrument 4 in one or more macro motions. These four separate degrees of freedom of movement are separate and different from the first plurality of degrees of freedom of movement. - With reference to flow diagram 2600, in one embodiment, the same shoulder, arm, and/or hand of a user that are used to input any of the first plurality of degrees of movement to
macro controls 50 b may provide input movements tomicro controls 50 a in any of the four separate degrees of freedom of movement of the second plurality of degrees of freedom of movement. For example, an input in the first degree of freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b to generate an articulation control signal for controlling pivot of an articulatingsurgical instrument 4 ofdevice 1; while an input in the second degree freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b generate a control signal for control lateral swivel of the articulatingsurgical instrument 4 about a shaft of theslave portion 70; and while an input in the third degree of freedom of movement causesmacro controls 50 b to generate a control signal control for controlling translation (extension/retraction) of articulatingsurgical instrument 4 along a longitudinal axis of the articulatingsurgical instrument 4. Any of the inputs in the second plurality of degrees of freedom of movement may occur simultaneously with one or independently in time from one another. Similarly, any input in the first plurality of degrees of freedom of movement may occur simultaneously or independently in time from inputs in the first plurality of degrees of freedom of movement. This means thatcontrol portion 50 may generate macro and micro control signals simultaneously or one at a time, depending on the number of and timing of movement inputs which are received bycontrol portion 50. - As previously described, in some embodiments, a micro motion control signal may comprise a displacement of hydraulic fluid within
control portion 50 that may then be coupled via hydraulic lines to one or more control cylinders withininstrument 4 as hydraulic signals for controlling of the motion of these one or more slave control cylinders. In other embodiments, the micro motion control signal may comprise an electrical signal, a mechanical signal (e.g., movement of a cable, rod, or linkage) or some combination of hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical signals. - At 2730 of flow diagram 2700, in one embodiment, a function control signal is generated within the control portion. The function control signal is configured for controlling a function associated with remotely controlled
surgical device 1. The function may control a function of any portion ofdevice 1. In one embodiment, the function control signal is an interrupt which interrupts some other signal between its source and its destination proximal to aninstrument 4 and/ortool 7. The function control signal is generated in response to receiving an input via a function control mechanism ofcontrol portion 50. For example,function control mechanism 50 c may a lever, trigger, screw, button, latch, switch, paddle, moveable pin, knob, ratcheting selector, pedal (e.g., a foot pedal), touchless sensor, dial, pressure sensor, or other input. In one embodiment,function control mechanism 50 c may be disposed as a portion ofgrasper handle assembly 1200; such that it may be directly manipulated by the same shoulder, arm, and/or hand which provides inputs tomicro controls 50 a andmacro controls 50 b. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 12B ,function control mechanism 50 c is implemented asknob 50 c-1 which disposed upongrasper handle assembly 1200 such that it may be spun by a finger or thumb of user U while utilizinggrasper handle assembly 1200.Lever 2455 ofratchet 2450 is another example of a function control mechanism. The input motion may be a different degree of freedom of movement than any of the first and second pluralities of degrees of freedom of movement. In another embodiment, afunction control mechanism 50 c may be disposed at a physically separate location frommicro controls foot pedal 50 c-2 (as illustrated inFIG. 13A ) which a user may move with a foot to trigger/control a function ofdevice 1. In one embodiment,function control mechanism 50 c may be imbedded withinmicro controls 50 a ormacro controls 50 b. For example, a pressure sensor coupled to a control cylinder could be utilized to receive coded inputs (such as three quick and timed tip rotate 1802 b inputs) for interpretation byprocessor 2310 as a user input which causesprocessor 2310 to generate function control signal to control a function ofdevice 1. - Some examples of functions of
device 1 that may a function control signal may be generated to control include, but arc not limited to: illumination, control locking, irrigation, suction, magnetization, viewing (e.g., camera), cauterization, therapeutic energy emission (e.g., ultrasonic, light, heat, laser emissions from instrument 4). Illumination can comprise turning on/off or varying intensity of an illumination function ofinstrument 4. Such an illumination function may comprise, for example, light supplied via fiber optic fiber routed fromcontrol portion 50 toinstrument 4 or light generated by electricity at some location on instrument 4 (such as by a light emitting diode disposed near a distal tip of instrument 4). Control locking can comprise locking out all or part ofcontrol portion 50, such that the locked out portion(s) cannot generate inputs which cause movement ofinstrument 4. Irrigation can comprise enabling/disabling and/or controlling the flow rate of irrigation fluid, such as saline or water, that is routed to and expelled from a portion of instrument 4 (e.g., at a location near the distal tip). Suction can comprise enabling/disabling and/or controlling the rate of suction that is routed to and available for use at portion of instrument 4 (e.g., at a location near the distal tip). Viewing can comprise turning on/off or adjusting the viewpoint of a camera or viewing device (e.g., a lens coupled with a fiber optic fiber) which is positioned on a portion of instrument 4 (e.g., proximal to a distal tip). Magnetization can comprise enabling/disabling and/or adjusting the intensity of magnetization of a portion ofinstrument 4. For example, a distal tip portion ofinstrument 4 may be magnetized by an electromagnet to engage and hold in place atool 7 and demagnetized to allow release oftool 7. In a similar manner, a function control signal may be generated to control application/removal and/or variance of the amount of power supplied to any electrically powered function or portion associated withdevice 1,instrument 4, and/or atool 7. Electrical lines and or control signal lines for routing one or more function control signals may be routed along or throughinstrument 4 to desired points. For example, electrical power may be applied/removed and/or varied to control cauterization by a cauterizing instrument (e.g., a heated element) or a therapeutic energy emission point (e.g., ultrasonic, laser, light) which is positioned on a portion of instrument 4 (e.g., proximal to a distal tip). - Although embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to various embodiments of the present invention and examples with respect to a surgical instrument, it is within the scope and spirit to incorporate or use with any suitable mechanical device. Further, while some aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to a surgeon as a user, the aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be used with another user, depending on circumstances in which the invention is used.
- The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presented technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the presented technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the presented technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it should be understood that numerous and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of embodiments of the invention.
Claims (22)
1. A remotely controlled surgical device control portion, said control portion comprising:
a first set of controls configured for receiving a motion inputs in first, second, and third degrees of freedom from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of said motion inputs in said first, second, and third degrees of freedom into one or more macro motion control signals for controlling one or more macro motions associated with an articulating surgical instrument;
a second set of controls coupled with said first set of controls and configured for receiving motion inputs in fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh degrees of freedom from said human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of said motion inputs in said fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh degrees of freedom into one or more micro motion control signals for controlling one or more micro motions of said articulating surgical instrument; and
a function control mechanism configured for receiving a function control input from a user of said control portion, said function control input for controlling a function associated with said remotely controlled surgical device.
2. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said second set of controls further comprises:
a central frame assembly; and
a grasper handle assembly coupled with said central frame assembly, said grasper handle assembly including a user moveable bi-directional trigger.
3. The control portion of claim 2 , wherein said second set of controls further comprises:
a rotatable arm holder assembly coupled to said central frame assembly.
4. The control portion of claim 2 , wherein said second set of controls further comprises:
a rotatable thumbwheel coupled with said grasper handle assembly.
5. The control portion of claim 2 , wherein trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions, said motion input for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument, and wherein said trigger comprises:
a finger loop disposed within said trigger and configured for receiving said motion input in the form of a user squeezing said trigger in said first direction with at least one finger or pushing said finger loop in said second direction with said at least one finger; and
a flange coupled with said trigger and configured for receiving said motion input in the form of pushing said flange with a thumb to cause said trigger to be pushed in said second direction.
6. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is selected from the group of function control mechanisms consisting of a lever, trigger, screw, button, latch, switch, paddle, moveable pin, knob, ratcheting selector, pedal, touchless sensor, dial, pressure sensor, or other input.
7. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control magnetization of a portion of said articulating surgical instrument.
8. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control application of electrical energy to a portion of said articulating surgical instrument.
9. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control an irrigation function associated with said articulating surgical instrument.
10. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control a suction function associated with said articulating surgical instrument.
11. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control an illumination function associated with said articulating surgical instrument.
12. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control a remote viewing function associated with said articulating surgical instrument.
13. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism is configured to control a locking or unlocking a function or user input of said control portion.
14. The control portion of claim 1 , wherein said function control mechanism operates to interrupt a signal between an input location of said signal and an output of said signal located proximal to a tool or instrument of said remotely controlled surgical device.
15. A surgical device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument, said device comprising:
an articulating surgical instrument;
a control portion configured for receiving user, said control portion comprising:
a first set of controls configured for receiving a first plurality of motion inputs from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of said first plurality of motion inputs into one or more macro motion control signals for controlling one or more macro motions associated with said surgical device;
a second set of controls configured for receiving a second plurality of motion inputs from said human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of said second plurality of motion inputs into one or more micro motion control signals for controlling one or more micro motions of said articulating surgical instrument; and
a function control mechanism configured for receiving a function control input from a user of said control portion, said function control input for controlling a function associated with said surgical device; and
a slave portion coupled between said control portion and said articulating surgical instrument, said slave portion configured for moving said articulating surgical instrument in response to said one or more macro motion control signals.
16. The device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a tool coupled with a distal tip of said articulating surgical instrument.
17. The device of claim 15 , wherein said second set of controls further comprises:
a central frame assembly; and
a grasper handle assembly coupled with said central frame assembly, said grasper handle assembly including a user moveable bi-directional trigger.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein said function control mechanism comprises a ratcheting lever configured for selectively locking a degree of freedom of movement of said trigger.
19. The device of claim 17 , wherein said function control mechanism is disposed as a part of said grasper handle assembly.
20. The device of claim 15 , wherein said at least one of said macro motion or micro motion control signals comprises a displacement of hydraulic fluid.
21. A method of remotely controlled surgical device control signal generation, said method comprising:
in response to movement of a first set of controls of a control portion in one of a first plurality of degrees of freedom, generating within said control portion a macro motion control signal configured for controlling a macro motion associated with an articulating surgical instrument of a remotely controlled surgical device;
in response to movement of a second set of controls of said control portion in one of a second plurality of degrees of freedom, generating within said control portion a micro motion control signal configured for controlling a micro motion of said articulating surgical instrument, wherein at least one of said macro motion control signal and said micro motion control signal comprises a displacement of hydraulic fluid; and
in response receiving a function control input via a function control mechanism of said control portion, generating a function control signal for configured controlling a function associated with said remotely controlled surgical device.
22. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said generating a function control signal configured for controlling a function associated with said remotely controlled surgical device comprises:
generating said function control signal as interrupt of a signal between an input and an output.
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TW100130516A TW201212880A (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2011-08-25 | Control portion of and device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20110152881A1 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
WO2011025818A1 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
EP2470104A1 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
EP2470104A4 (en) | 2017-01-04 |
US20110319911A1 (en) | 2011-12-29 |
US8734312B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 |
US20120271283A1 (en) | 2012-10-25 |
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