Wrist mechanism for surgical instrument for performing minimally invasive surgery with enhanced dexterity and sensitivity
First Claim
1. An articulated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery comprising an elongate support member, a wrist member, first and second capstans, first and second work members;
- first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys; and
first, second, third and fourth cables wherein;
the elongate support member has a proximal end and a distal end and a support axis running longitudinally along the elongate support member from the proximal end to the distal end;
the wrist member has a proximal end and a distal end and a wrist axis running longitudinally along the wrist member from the proximal end to the distal end;
the proximal end of the wrist member is attached to the distal end of the support member by a wrist joint such that the wrist member can pivot about a joint axis perpendicular to the support axis and perpendicular to the wrist axis;
the first and second capstans are rotatably mounted to the distal portion of the wrist member by respective first and second capstan joints such that the axis of rotation of each of the first and second capstan joints is perpendicular to the wrist axis and perpendicular to the joint axis;
the first and second opposed work members are coupled to the respective first and second capstans;
the first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys are rotatably mounted to the wrist member about the wrist joint;
each intermediate idler pulley is engaged by one of the first, second, third and fourth cables; and
each capstan is drivingly engaged by two of the first, second, third and fourth cables;
whereby selective actuation of the cables operates to pivot the wrist member about the joint axis and pivot the work members independently of each other about the capstan joints.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An articulated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery comprising an elongate support member, a wrist member, first and second capstans, first and second work members;
- first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys; and
first, second, third and fourth cables wherein;the elongate support member has a proximal end and a distal end and a support axis running longitudinally along the elongate support member from the proximal end to the distal end; the wrist member has a proximal end and a distal end and a wrist axis running longitudinally along the wrist member from the proximal end to the distal end; the proximal end of the wrist member is attached to the distal end of the support member by a wrist joint such that the wrist member can pivot about a joint axis perpendicular to the support axis and perpendicular to the wrist axis; the first and second capstans are rotatably mounted to the distal portion of the wrist member by respective first and second capstan joints such that the axis of rotation of each of the first and second capstan joints is perpendicular to the wrist axis and perpendicular to the joint axis; the first and second opposed work members are coupled to the respective first and second capstans; the first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys are rotatably mounted to the wrist member about the wrist joint; each intermediate idler pulley is engaged by one of the first, second, third and fourth cables; and each capstan is drivingly engaged by two of the first, second, third and fourth cables; whereby selective actuation of the cables operates to pivot the wrist member about the joint axis and pivot the work members independently of each other about the capstan joints. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys; and
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11. A method of operating an articulated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery comprising the steps of:
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providing an articulated surgical instrument which has an elongate support member having a proximal end and a distal end, a wrist member having a distal end and a proximal end which is connected by a wrist joint to the distal end of the elongate support member for pivotal motion about a wrist axis, first and second capstans each mounted on the distal end of the wrist member for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the wrist axis, first and second work members coupled to the first and second capstans; and
first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys mounted about the wrist joint;providing a cable drive system comprising first, second, third and fourth actuators coupled to respective first, second, third and fourth cables; engaging the first, second third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys with respective first, second, third and fourth cables; drivingly engaging the first capstan with the first and second cables and the second capstan with the third and fourth cables. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An articulated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery comprising an elongate support member, a wrist member, first and second capstans, first and second work members;
- first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys; and
cable drive means wherein;the elongate support member has a proximal end and a distal end and a support axis running longitudinally along the elongate support member from the proximal end to the distal end; the wrist member has a proximal end and a distal end and a wrist axis running longitudinally along the wrist member from the proximal end to the distal end; the proximal end of the wrist member is attached to the distal end of the support member by a wrist joint such that the wrist member can pivot about a joint axis perpendicular to the support axis and perpendicular to the wrist axis; the first and second capstans are rotatably mounted to the distal portion of the wrist member by respective first and second capstan joints such that the axis of rotation of each of the first and second capstan joints is perpendicular to the wrist axis and perpendicular to the joint axis; the first and second opposed work members are mounted to the first and second capstans respectively; the first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys are rotatably mounted to the wrist member about the wrist joint; and the cable drive means comprises a plurality of cables for selectively pivoting the wrist member about the joint axis and pivoting the work members independently of each other about the capstan joints. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- first, second, third and fourth intermediate idler pulleys; and
Specification