Operator input device for a robotic surgical system
First Claim
1. An operator input device comprising:
- a supporting link structure;
a handle that is rotatably supported by the supporting link structure;
an operator input supported by the handle;
a rotary transformer having a primary winding fixed to the supporting link structure and connected to an electric power source, a secondary winding fixed to the handle, and an axial passage through the primary and secondary windings;
an optical data transmitter connected to the operator input and the secondary winding, the optical data transmitter fixed to the handle and aligned to transmit data from the operator input through the axial passage in the rotary transformer; and
an optical data receiver fixed to the supporting link structure and aligned to receive data from the optical data transmitter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for a robotic surgical instrument includes an operator input on a handle that is rotatably supported by a supporting link structure. A primary winding of a rotary transformer is fixed to the supporting link structure and connected to an electric power source. A secondary winding is fixed to the handle. An axial passage extends through the primary and secondary windings. An optical data transmitter is connected to the operator input to transmit data from the operator input through the axial passage. The secondary transformer winding provides power to the optical data transmitter without physical contact. An optical data receiver fixed to the supporting link structure receives data from the optical data transmitter transmitted through the axial passage in the rotary transformer without physical contact. The transmission of power and data without physical contact allows the handle to rotate continuously.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An operator input device comprising:
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a supporting link structure; a handle that is rotatably supported by the supporting link structure; an operator input supported by the handle; a rotary transformer having a primary winding fixed to the supporting link structure and connected to an electric power source, a secondary winding fixed to the handle, and an axial passage through the primary and secondary windings; an optical data transmitter connected to the operator input and the secondary winding, the optical data transmitter fixed to the handle and aligned to transmit data from the operator input through the axial passage in the rotary transformer; and an optical data receiver fixed to the supporting link structure and aligned to receive data from the optical data transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19)
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7. A method of receiving an operator input comprising:
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receiving the operator input from an input device on a handle that is rotatably supported by a link structure; coupling an electrical power source between a primary coil fixedly supported by the link structure and connected to an electric power source, and a secondary coil fixedly supported by the handle; and transmitting data from the operator input with an optical data transmitter fixed on the axis of rotation of the handle and connected to the secondary coil, the optical transmission directed through an axial passage through the primary and secondary windings, to a coaxial optical data receiver fixed on the link structure. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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11. A device for receiving an operator input comprising:
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means for receiving the operator input mounted on a handle that is rotatably supported by a link structure; means for coupling an electrical power source between a primary coil fixedly supported by the link structure and connected to an electric power source, and a secondary coil fixedly supported by the handle; and means for optically transmitting operator input data fixed on the axis of rotation of the handle and connected to the secondary coil, the optical transmission directed through an axial passage through the primary and secondary windings, to a coaxial means for receiving optical data fixed on the link structure. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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15. An input device comprising:
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a supporting link structure that includes a stationary pot core half fixed to the supporting link structure and holding a primary transformer winding connected to an electric power source, and an optical data receiver fixed to the supporting link structure adjacent the stationary pot core half; and a handle that is rotatably supported by the supporting link structure that includes an operator input supported by the handle, a rotary pot core half fixed to the handle facing the stationary pot core half and holding a secondary transformer winding, and an optical data transmitter fixed to the handle on its axis of rotation, the optical data transmitter connected to the secondary transformer winding to receive power and to the operator input to transmit data from the operator input through axial passages in the rotary and stationary pot core halves to the optical data receiver. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification