Wireless communication in a robotic surgical system

• US 8,469,947 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Inventors: Devengenzo, Roman L., Loh, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, Bill
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIPITZ, JEFFREY BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US13/094,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20110288561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/130
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/305 Details of wrist mechanisms at distal ends of robotic arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/715 Cable tensioning mechanisms for removing slack
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2046/234 with means for retaining a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/35 for telesurgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1045 comprising tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20305 Robotic arm

Abstract

In one embodiment, an insertion axis of a robotic manipulator is provided, the insertion axis including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main printed circuit assembly external to the insertion axis. A robotic surgical system including such an insertion axis and a method for wireless communication in the system are also provided.

Claims

1. A link assembly of a robotic manipulator, comprising:

a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, wherein the base link includes a clamp adapted to mount a cannula; and

a carriage link slidably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis of the link assembly, wherein the carriage link includes an instrument interface adapted to mount an instrument having an instrument shaft,

wherein the base and carriage links have an extended configuration in which a portion of the carriage link extends beyond the base link along the lengthwise axis and the carriage link is configured for telescoping motion relative to the base link to move a distal end of the instrument shaft relative to the clamp, and

wherein the carriage link includes a remote circuit assembly, a power source for the remote circuit assembly, and a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main circuit assembly external to the link assembly.

2. The link assembly of claim 1, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of a system state, a sterile adaptor state, and an instrument state.

3. The link assembly of claim 1, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of instrument identification, LED control, clutch button state, and Hall-effect sensor state.

4. The link assembly of claim 1, wherein the carriage link includes an LED indicator, and a manipulator clutch button.

5. The link assembly of claim 1, wherein the instrument interface is adapted to mount an instrument having an end effector selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

6. The link assembly of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a battery selected from the group consisting of a rechargeable battery and a disposable battery.

7. A link assembly of a robotic manipulator, comprising:

a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, wherein the base link includes a clamp adapted to mount a cannula; and

a carriage link slidably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis of the link assembly, wherein the carriage link includes an instrument interface adapted to mount an instrument having an instrument shaft,

wherein the base and carriage links have an extended configuration in which a portion of the carriage link extends beyond the base link along the lengthwise axis and the carriage link is configured for telescoping motion relative to the base link to move a distal end of the instrument shaft relative to the clamp,

wherein the carriage link includes a remote circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main circuit assembly external to the link assembly, and wherein the remote circuit assembly is coupled by a wire to a power source external to the link assembly.

8. The link assembly of claim 7, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of a system state, a sterile adaptor state, and an instrument state.

9. The link assembly of claim 7, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of instrument identification, LED control, clutch button state, and Hall-effect sensor state.

10. The link assembly of claim 7, wherein the carriage link includes an LED indicator, and a manipulator clutch button.

11. The link assembly of claim 7, wherein the instrument interface is adapted to mount an instrument having an end effector selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

12. A link assembly of a robotic manipulator, comprising:

a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, wherein the base link includes a clamp adapted to mount a cannula; and

a carriage link slidably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis of the link assembly, wherein the carriage link includes an instrument interface adapted to mount an instrument having an instrument shaft,

wherein the base and carriage links have an extended configuration in which a portion of the carriage link extends beyond the base link along the lengthwise axis and the carriage link is configured for telescoping motion relative to the base link to move a distal end of the instrument shaft relative to the clamp,

wherein the carriage link includes a remote circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main circuit assembly external to the link assembly, and wherein a contact brush and a contact track apparatus is between the base link and the carriage link for providing power to the remote circuit assembly from a remote power source outside of the link assembly.

13. The link assembly of claim 12, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of a system state, a sterile adaptor state, and an instrument state.

14. The link assembly of claim 12, wherein the remote circuit assembly and transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of instrument identification, LED control, clutch button state, and Hall-effect sensor state.

15. The link assembly of claim 12, wherein the carriage link includes an LED indicator, and a manipulator clutch button.

16. The link assembly of claim 12, wherein the instrument interface is adapted to mount an instrument having an end effector selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

17. A method of wireless communication in a robotic surgical system, the method comprising:

providing a manipulator arm including a main circuit assembly and transceiver;

providing a link assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the manipulator arm, the link assembly including;

a base link having a clamp adapted to mount a cannula, and

a carriage link slidably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis of the link assembly, the carriage link including an instrument interface and a remote circuit assembly and transceiver, wherein the instrument interface is adapted to mount an instrument having an instrument shaft, and wherein the base and carriage links have an extended configuration in which a portion of the carriage link extends beyond the base link along the lengthwise axis and the carriage link is configured for telescoping motion relative to the base link to move a distal end of the instrument shaft relative to the clamp;

coupling a sterile adaptor to the instrument interface;

coupling an instrument to the sterile adaptor;

powering the remote circuit assembly with a power source external or internal to the link assembly; and

transmitting data wirelessly between the remote circuit assembly and the main circuit assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising wirelessly transmitting data selected from the group consisting of a system state, a sterile adaptor state, or an instrument state between the remote circuit assembly and the main circuit assembly.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising wirelessly transmitting data selected from the group consisting of instrument identification, LED control, clutch button state, and Hall-effect sensor state between the circuit assembly and the main circuit assembly.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising powering the remote circuit assembly with a power source including a battery selected from the group consisting of a rechargeable battery and a disposable battery.

21. A robotic surgical system, comprising:

a manipulator arm;

a link assembly coupled to the manipulator arm, the link assembly including;

a base link operably coupled to a distal end of the manipulator arm,

wherein the base link includes a clamp adapted to mount a cannula; and

a carriage link slidably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis of the link assembly, wherein the carriage link includes an instrument interface adapted to mount an instrument having an instrument shaft,

wherein the base and carriage links have an extended configuration in which a portion of the carriage link extends beyond the base link along the lengthwise axis and the carriage link is configured for telescoping motion relative to the base link to move a distal end of the instrument shaft relative to the clamp, and

wherein the carriage link includes a remote circuit assembly having a power source external or internal to the link assembly, and a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main circuit assembly external to the link assembly; and

an instrument is mounted to the instrument interface.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the circuit assembly and the transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of a system state, a sterile adaptor state, and an instrument state.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the remote circuit assembly and the transceiver are configured to transmit data selected from the group consisting of instrument identification, LED control, clutch button state, and Hall-effect sensor state.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the carriage link includes an LED indicator, and a manipulator clutch button.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the instrument includes an end effector selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the power source includes a battery selected from the group consisting of a rechargeable battery and a disposable battery.