Microrobot for surgical applications
First Claim
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1. A system with a mobile micro-robot for use inside an animal body during minimally invasive surgery, comprising:
- a laparoscopic surgical tool, wherein the micro-robot is adapted to fit through a port of the laparoscopic surgical tool;
a body for incorporating components of the micro-robot;
a mobilization element coupled to the body for moving the body of the micro-robot within the animal body, the mobilization element comprising two wheels disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the body and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension;
a member disposed between the two wheels and extending from the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the two wheels for converting rotational motion of the wheels into translational motion;
a controller for controlling remotely the mobilization element;
an actuator coupled to the controller and mobilization element, the actuator configured to provide movement to the mobilization element based on input from the controller;
a power supply adapted to power the actuator; and
at least one device selected from (i) a manipulator arm extending from the body of the micro-robot, the manipulator arm having a free end defining a tip and being movable to assist in surgical tasks and (ii) at least one sensor proximate the body of the micro-robot for monitoring at least one parameter within the animal body.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a micro-robot for use inside the body during minimally-invasive surgery. The micro-robot may include various sensors, imaging devices or manipulators.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system with a mobile micro-robot for use inside an animal body during minimally invasive surgery, comprising:
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a laparoscopic surgical tool, wherein the micro-robot is adapted to fit through a port of the laparoscopic surgical tool; a body for incorporating components of the micro-robot; a mobilization element coupled to the body for moving the body of the micro-robot within the animal body, the mobilization element comprising two wheels disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the body and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension; a member disposed between the two wheels and extending from the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the two wheels for converting rotational motion of the wheels into translational motion; a controller for controlling remotely the mobilization element; an actuator coupled to the controller and mobilization element, the actuator configured to provide movement to the mobilization element based on input from the controller; a power supply adapted to power the actuator; and at least one device selected from (i) a manipulator arm extending from the body of the micro-robot, the manipulator arm having a free end defining a tip and being movable to assist in surgical tasks and (ii) at least one sensor proximate the body of the micro-robot for monitoring at least one parameter within the animal body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mobile micro-robot for use inside an animal body during minimally invasive surgery, comprising:
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a body for incorporating components of the micro-robot; at least one device selected from (i) a manipulator arm extending from the body of the micro-robot, the manipulator arm having a free end defining a tip and being movable to assist in surgical tasks and (ii) at least one sensor proximate the body of the micro-robot for monitoring at least one parameter within the animal body; a mobilization assembly coupled to the body for actively moving the body of the micro-robot transverse to a length of the micro-robot during surgery along a surface within an open space inside the animal body, wherein the mobilization assembly comprises two wheels disposed at each end of the body and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the length of the micro-robot; and a member disposed between the two wheels and extending from the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the two wheels for converting rotational motion of the wheels into translational motion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of performing minimally invasive surgery inside an animal body, comprising:
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performing an incision in the animal body; implanting a micro-robot through the incision into an open space inside the animal body, the micro-robot having a remotely controllable mobilization assembly and at least one device selected from (i) a remotely controllable manipulator arm for performing a surgical task and (ii) a sensor for monitoring at least parameter within the animal body; and actively moving the micro-robot along a surface inside the animal body within the open space by driving two wheels of the mobilization assembly, wherein the two wheels have an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a length of the micro-robot and are separated from one another along the length of the microrobot by a member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the two wheels for converting rotational motion of the wheels into translational motion capable of moving the micro-robot transverse to the length of the micro-robot. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification