Device and Method for Controlling a Remote Appliance

• US 20080188870A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medsys S.A.
• Original Assignee: Medsys S.A.
• Inventors: Andre, Jacques, Polet, Roland, Ferriere, Laurent
• Application Number:
  US12/067,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/742 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/35 for telesurgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/57 Accessory clamps

Abstract

A device (1) configured for wireless control of a remote appliance is disclosed. The device (1) includes one or more input members (2). The device (1) is configured for releasable mounting to a hand-held surgical instrument (3) and the remote appliance is distinct from the hand-held surgical instrument (3). A method for controlling the remote appliance is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for performing surgery comprising:

a hand-held surgical instrument comprising distally an end effector and proximally a handle 3 for grasping by a user, and the manipulation of the handle actuates the end effector,

a device 1 configured for producing signals suited for wireless control of a remote appliance, and comprising one or more input members 2 the manipulation of which causes the device 1 to produce the said signals, and

a clip 5 comprising a receiving surface 27 which receives and at least partly enclasps a portion of the handle 3 or a portion of the surgical instrument distally adjacent to the handle 3, thereby releasably engaging the clip 5 with the hand-held surgical instrument;

the clip further comprising, outwardly from the receiving surface 27, a housing member 19 and at least one supporting member 20 moveably engaged with the said housing member 19,

wherein the device 1 and the said supporting member 20 are interconnected through mutually fitting connecting elements 10,9 provided respectively thereon.

3. A system or kit of parts according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the housing member 19 co-extends circumferentially with at least a part of the receiving surface 27 of the clip 5.

4. A system or kit of parts according to claim 3, wherein the supporting member 20 is moveable along at least a portion of the circumference of the respective housing member 19.

5. A system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the supporting member 20 is moveable between two or more discrete positions on the housing member 19, or is continuously moveable along a given circumferential span of the housing member 19.

6. A system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supporting member 20 is slideably engaged with the housing member 19.

7. A system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supporting member 20 defines a body generally protruding radially outwardly from the housing member 19, the said body defining a radially proximal end 34, a radially distal end 23 and an interposed stem portion 36 connecting the said ends.

8. A system or kit op parts according to claim 7, wherein the connecting element 9 is provided at or adjacent to the radially distal end 23 of the supporting member 20.

9. A system or kit op parts according to claim 8, wherein the connecting element 9 is moveable relative to the supporting element 20 on which it is provided.

10. A system or kit op parts according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting elements 9,10 are configured for a moveable, preferably slideable, interconnection between the supporting member 20 and the device 1.

11. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device 1 comprises at least one pair, such as 2, 3 or more pairs, of input members 2 configured to produce identical signals, each member of said pair being positioned substantially symmetrically on the opposite lateral sides 4 of the device 1;

preferably each pair is configured to produce signals different from any other pairs.

12. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device 1 comprises at least one pair of input members 2 configured to produce identical signals on the same lateral surface 4 of the device 1.

13. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the said wireless control is effected by a transmitter-receiver system, preferably where the device comprises the transmitter and the appliance, or a second appliance configured to control the said appliance, comprises the receiver.

14. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the device is configured to control spatial movement of the remote appliance or a part thereof.

15. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the remote appliance is chosen from the group comprising a positioning system for a surgical instrument, such as a positioning system for laparoscopic and/or endoscopic visualization systems, or a positioning system for load-carrying platforms.

16. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device is configured to control a computer command effected by the remote appliance.

17. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein manipulation of the one or more input members causes the device to produce signals suited to control the remote appliance.

18. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the manipulation comprises effecting spatial movement of and/or applying pressure on the one or more input members or parts thereof.

19. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the one or more input members are positioned such that when the device is mounted to the hand-held surgical instrument, the input member can be manipulated by at least one finger of a hand holding the hand-held surgical instrument.

20. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the input member is chosen from the group comprising joystick, press button switch, touch pad or a rolling-ball.

21. The system or kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein the joystick is configured to actuate spatial movement of the remote appliance or part thereof along 1 to 3 orthogonal axes.

22. The system or kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein the device comprises at least one joystick configured to actuate spatial movement of the remote appliance or a part thereof along 2 orthogonal axes and at least one joystick configured to actuate spatial movement of the remote appliance or a part thereof along the third orthogonal axis.

23. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the surgical instrument is a laparoscopic surgical instrument.

24. The system or kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 23, which is suitable for sterilization or is disposable.

25. A device 1 as defined in any of claims 1 to 24.

26. A clip 5 as defined in any of claims 1 to 24.

27. Use of the system or the kit of parts according to claims 1 to 24, or of the device according to claim 25, or of the clip 5 according to claim 26 in surgery.

28. Method for controlling the manipulation of a hand-held surgical instrument and a remote appliance, whereby said remote appliance is distinct from the surgical instrument comprising the steps of:

a) mounting the kit op parts as defined in any of claims 1 to 24 to a hand-held surgical instrument,

b) holding the surgical instrument in a hand for manipulation thereof, and

c) controlling said remote appliance by manipulating the input member(s) of said device by at least one finger of the hand holding the hand-held surgical instrument.

29. Method according to claim 28, wherein the operation of said hand-held surgical instrument and said remote appliance is controlled simultaneously.

2. A kit of parts comprising:

a device 1 configured for producing signals suited for wireless control of a remote appliance, and comprising one or more input members 2 the manipulation of which causes the device 1 to produce the said signals, and

a clip 5 configured for releasable, clasping engagement with a hand-held surgical instrument and comprising a receiving surface 27 configured to receive and at least partly enclasp a portion of the hand-held surgical instrument, in particular a portion of the handle thereof or a portion distally adjacent to the handle, and further comprising, outwardly from the receiving surface 27, a housing member 19 and at least one supporting member 20 moveably engaged with the said housing member 19,

wherein the device 1 and the supporting member 20 comprise mutually fitting connecting elements 10,9 for interconnection thereof.