Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090320637 | FLEXIBLE WRIST-TYPE ELEMENT AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF - A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing. | 12-31-2009 |
20100241136 | INSTRUMENT POSITIONING/HOLDING DEVICES - Systems are provided that control the positioning of various instruments (e.g., endoscopes or tissue retractors) used during surgical procedures. A positioning mechanism holding the instrument is coupled to a control mechanism such that mechanical manipulation of the control mechanism results in movement of the positioning mechanism relative to a patient's body, thereby eliminating the need to manually hold and position the instruments. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241137 | HAND-ACTUATED ARTICULATING SURGICAL TOOL - A double cylinder system is disclosed, comprising at least one controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave. Also disclosed is a surgical device, comprising at least one controller located at a proximal end of the device, the controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one manipulator, the manipulator being configured to be controlled by a human hand and to actuate the controller; at least one slave located at a distal end of the device, the slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave. | 09-23-2010 |
20100286670 | SURGICAL TOOL KIT - A tool kit for interchanging tools within an at least partially closed area is provided. The tool kit includes at least one tool, each tool being preferably provided within a tubular housing, and adapted to pivot out from the tool kit so that they can be attached to a receiving tool. The tool is designed to be returned to the tool kit after use, and if desired, switched with a different tool. In one embodiment, a surgical system permitting surgical tools to be interchanged within a patient's body is provided. A method of interchanging surgical tools within a patient's body is also provided. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286711 | HAND ACTUATED, ARTICULATING DEVICE HAVING AN ELECTRIC FORCE ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM - An articulating device element and methods of operation thereof, including a compensating force enhancement for compensating for any unwanted friction and/or other such resistance forces experienced by the device when being manipulated. | 11-11-2010 |
20100299890 | BEDRAIL CLAMP - A quick lock and release clamp mountable onto the bedrail of an operating table, hospital bed, and the like. The clamp includes a body, a foot, and a mouth having at least three sides defined by the body and foot. A biasing member is coupled to at least one of the body and the foot, wherein an actuating member coupled to the biasing member is configured to transmit a force to the mouth via the biasing member. A protrusion extending from the body and towards the foot engages the bedrail, thereby fixing the clamp onto the bedrail, by moving the actuating member in a first direction. | 12-02-2010 |
20100331857 | FLEXIBLE WRIST-TYPE ELEMENT AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF - A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing. | 12-30-2010 |
20110152881 | CONTROL PORTION OF AND DEVICE FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING AN ARTICULATING SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A remotely controlled surgical device control portion comprises a user moveable bi-directional trigger, a finger loop disposed within the trigger, and a flange coupled to the finger loop. The trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions. The motion input is for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument. The finger loop is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of a user squeezing the trigger in the first direction with at least one finger or pushing the trigger in the second direction with said at least one finger. The flange is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of pushing the trigger in the second direction with a thumb. | 06-23-2011 |
20110178531 | Control portion of and device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument - 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. | 07-21-2011 |
20110319911 | REMOTELY CONTROLLING AN ARTICULATING SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument comprises an articulating surgical instrument, a control portion, and a slave portion. The control portion is configured for receiving motion inputs in a plurality of degrees of freedom from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating the motion inputs into one or more control signals for controlling motion of the articulating surgical instrument. The control signals are generated within the control portion and wherein at least one of the control signals comprises displacement of hydraulic fluid. The slave portion is coupled between the control portion and the articulating surgical instrument. The control portion is configured for moving the articulating surgical instrument in response to the one or more control signals. | 12-29-2011 |
20120035415 | CLAMPING SYSTEM - A collet comprising a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end and an aperture coaxial within the cylindrical body. The aperture is configured for receiving a medical device and for securing the medical device by decreasing in diameter when pressure is applied to at least one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical body. | 02-09-2012 |
20120065472 | PROTECTIVE SHEATH - A protective sheath including a first portion configured to receive a medical instrument and a second portion configured to accommodate movement of a distal end of said medical instrument within the second portion. The second portion is movably coupled to the first portion. The protective sheath is configured to control contamination of the medical instrument when the medical instrument and the protective sheath are placed within a patient. The protective sheath also includes a tube configured to assist the medical instrument when the medical instrument and the protective sheath are placed within said patient. The tube is disposed along a length of the protective sheath. | 03-15-2012 |
20120065645 | PROTECTIVE SHEATH - A protective sheath including a first portion configured to receive a medical instrument. The protective sheath also includes a second portion configured to accommodate movement of a distal end of the medical instrument within the second portion. The second portion is moveably coupled to the first portion. The protective sheath is configured to control contamination of the medical instrument when the medical instrument and the protective sheath are placed within a patient. | 03-15-2012 |
20120182134 | MECHANISMS FOR POSITIONING AND/OR HOLDING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PERFORMING OTHER FUNCTIONS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF - A positioning system is provided for use in remotely-controlled surgical procedures. Also provided are methods of manufacture and use of such a positioning system. The positioning system may hold an instrument, and may provide multiple degrees of freedom of movement to the instrument. The positioning system may be coupled to a control unit, such that manipulation of the control unit results in movement of the positioning mechanism, thereby eliminating the need to manually hold and position the instrument. According to some aspects, the positioning system may be hydraulically actuated. | 07-19-2012 |
20120271283 | ARTICULATED SURGICAL TOOL - An articulated surgical tool and method of use are provided. The articulated surgical tool may hold an instrument and a surgical tool and may provide both macro and micro motions in the instrument and/or surgical tool, including by hydraulic operation. The articulated surgical tool may be coupled to a control system, such that manipulation of the control system results in movement of instrument and/or surgical tool, thereby eliminating the need to manually hold and position the instrument and/or surgical tool. | 10-25-2012 |
20130053833 | OVERFORCE MECHANISM - An overforce mechanism comprising a driving assembly, a driven assembly, and a variably engageable coupling, shunts or dampens a motion of a control cylinder for a hydraulic device when that motion exceeds a predefined, unsafe threshold. The overforce mechanism avoids or reduces damage either to the device itself, to ancillary devices and/or to the patient. In an aspect, the variably engageable coupling may include a biasing mechanism and a coupling member, wherein the biasing mechanism automatically resets or releases upon reaching a force or tension threshold. Further, the overforce driven assembly may include an overforce rod that allows the force or motion to be channeled away from the source. The variably engageable coupling may comprise a dowel and spring mechanism that automatically resets with tension. | 02-28-2013 |
20130090668 | HYDRAULIC DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL VALVE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A spool valve for controlling fluid communication among hydraulic cylinders operating control and slave portions of a surgical device. The spool valve may be used to disconnect the control and the slave portions from one another such that there is no fluid communication between the control and slave portions. The spool valve may be used to engage or allow fluid communication between the control and slave. The spool valve may also be used to allow fluid communication between the slave and control portion and a fluid reservoir, thus allowing the hydraulic system to replenish fluid lost to evaporation, leakage, or other escape. The spool valve includes a body portion having at least two ports and a spool having at least one passageway moveable to a position so as to communicate with the at least two ports. | 04-11-2013 |
20130138118 | POWERED SIGNAL CONTROLLED HAND ACTUATED ARTICULATING DEVICE - An articulating device for aiding a user, such as, a surgeon or other medical practitioner, in manipulating a hand-actuated articulating device by providing a powered force used for moving the device, thus reducing or eliminating the need for the user to provide all the force required to move the device. The articulating device includes an input device, which receives one or more user inputs to direct a slave portion to perform work. The articulating device further includes a control portion that assists in transferring user input to the slave portion, and that further provides power assistance to at least partially drive the slave portion, in combination with the user input received by the input device. | 05-30-2013 |
20130172858 | REDUCED BACKFLASH JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A joint and a corresponding method of creating a precision-fit joint, including creating a mating surface on a first joint component so that the mating surface includes one or more interfering features, connecting a second joint component with the mating surface such that the interfering feature is compressed, and heating the mating surface above a glass transition temperature or melting temperature of the mating surface, or otherwise treating the surface, so as to induce flow of material from the interfering feature to a area of relatively low pressure between the first joint component and the second joint component. | 07-04-2013 |
20130184690 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF TOOL EXCHANGE - A system for exchanging at least one end tool includes at least one tool exchange device for retaining each of the at least one end tool and at least one operating instrument engageable with each of the at least one end tool. The tool exchange device includes a tool retaining mechanism having an opening and a plurality of engagement features to enable mutually exclusive engagement and disengagement of the tool retaining mechanism with each of the at least one tool. Each of the at least one tool is receivable in the opening and has a biasing member engageable with the plurality of engagement features for at least one of biasing to an engaged position and a disengaged position. | 07-18-2013 |
20130263685 | FLEXIBLE WRIST-TYPE ELEMENT - A flexible wrist-type element, comprising: a base housing extending along a first longitudinal axis towards a base end; an operational housing extending along a second longitudinal axis towards an operational end; an operational element moveably connected to the operational housing; a joint assembly movably connecting the base housing and the operational housing; wherein the joint assembly allows relative movement of the operational housing and the base housing between a first position and a second position, wherein a point of intersection between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis moves during movement between the first position and the second position; a driver assembly moveably supported by the base housing and the operational housing; and wherein the driver assembly is configured to actuate the operational element relative to the operational housing. | 10-10-2013 |