SURGICAL CAMERA ROBOT

• US 20080058989A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Virtual Incision Corporation
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
• Inventors: Oleynikov, Dmitry, Dumpert, Jason, Rentschler, Mark, Farritor, Shane, Platt, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/932,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058989A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/72 Micromanipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras

Abstract

The present invention is a miniature camera robot which can be placed entirely within an open space such as an abdominal cavity. The instant camera robot has pan and tilt capabilities, an adjustable focus camera, and a support means for supporting the robot body. In particular embodiments, the camera robot further contains a light source for illumination and a handle to position the camera robot. A system and method for using the instant camera robot are also provided.

Claims

1. A camera robot for internal imaging comprising a robot body with a camera disposed therein;

adjustable-focus camera means;

pan or tilt camera means; and

a support means for supporting the robot body, wherein said camera robot is produced from material selected for being sterilizable and wherein the whole of the camera robot is capable of being introduced into an open space for internal imaging.

2. The camera robot of claim 1, further comprising a handle for positioning the camera robot.

3. A system for internal imaging comprising the camera robot of claim 1 and a laparoscopic surgical tool, wherein the camera robot body is adapted to fit through a port of the laparoscopic surgical tool.

4. A method for obtaining an internal image comprising introducing the whole of the camera robot of claim 1 into an open space, and illuminating and imaging the open space thereby obtaining an internal image.