GLOVE WITH SENSORY ELEMENTS INCORPORATED THEREIN FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20130226168A1
• Filed: 02/12/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ingmanson, Michael, Ferraro, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,445,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00207 with hand gesture control or hand gesture recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/741 Glove like input devices, e.g. "data gloves"
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/00 Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/10 Surgical gloves

Abstract

A surgical control system is provided including a glove having a plurality of sensory elements disposed therein, the plurality of sensory elements configured to provide sensory signals and at least one surgical instrument configured to be responsive to the sensory signals when the glove is within a functional range of the at least one surgical instrument. The plurality of sensory elements are magnetic elements or conductive elements. At least one surgical instrument includes a plurality of sensors positioned therein for sensing the magnetic elements or the conductive elements of the glove. Movement of the glove having the plurality of magnetic or conductive elements disposed therein, relative to the at least one surgical instrument, causes the plurality of sensors positioned within the at least one surgical instrument to activate at least one operation of the at least one surgical instrument.

Claims

1. A surgical control system, comprising:

a glove including a plurality of sensory elements disposed therein, the plurality of sensory elements configured to provide sensory signals; and

at least one surgical instrument configured to be responsive to the sensory signals when the glove is within a functional range of the at least one surgical instrument.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensory elements are placed on a finger region of the glove.

3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the finger region includes all fingers of a user.

4. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the finger region includes an index finger and a middle finger of a user.

5. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensory elements are placed on a palm region of the glove.

6. The control system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of sensory elements placed on the palm region of the glove are adapted to be power indicators.

7. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensory elements are conductive elements.

8. The control system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one surgical instrument includes a plurality of conductive sensors positioned therein for sensing the conductive elements of the glove.

9. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensory elements are magnetic elements.

10. The control system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one surgical instrument includes a plurality of magnetic sensors positioned therein for sensing the magnetic elements of the glove.

11. The control system according to claim 10, wherein movement of the glove having the plurality of magnetic elements disposed therein, relative to at least one surgical instrument, causes the plurality of magnetic sensors positioned within the at least one surgical instrument to activate at least one operation of the at least one surgical instrument.

12. The control system according to claim 10, wherein the glove slidably maneuvers over one or more surfaces of the at least one surgical instrument to trigger one or more functions of the at least one surgical instrument.

13. The control system according to claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the at least one surgical instrument is devoid of any switches and buttons.

14. The control system according to claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the at least one surgical instrument includes a plurality of textured control surfaces indicating control boundaries, wherein the surgical instrument includes a plurality of sensors disposed throughout, and wherein the plurality of sensors receive sensory signals from the plurality of sensory elements of the glove.

15. A method of controlling at least one surgical instrument, the method comprising:

providing sensory signals via a plurality of sensory elements disposed within a glove;

placing the glove within a functional region of the at least one surgical instrument, wherein the at least one surgical instrument includes a plurality of sensors positioned therein;

triggering the plurality of sensors via the plurality of sensory elements; and

activating at least one operation of the at least one surgical instrument in response to the sensory signals received by the plurality of sensors.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising placing the plurality of sensory elements on a finger region of the glove, a palm region of the glove or a combination thereof.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of sensory elements include at least one of magnetic elements and conductive elements.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of slidably maneuvering the glove over at least one surface of the at least one surgical instrument to trigger at least one function of the at least one surgical instrument.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising incorporating a plurality of textured control surfaces indicating control boundaries on an exterior surface of the at least one surgical instrument.

20. A medical system, comprising:

a wearable article including a plurality of sensory elements incorporated thereon; and

at least one medical device having a plurality of sensors placed therein, wherein the at least one medical device is devoid of any exterior switches and buttons, and wherein the at least one medical device is configured to allow wireless communication between the plurality of sensory elements and the plurality of sensors for triggering at least one function of the at least one medical device.