Retractor systems with closed loop control
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a retractor for retracting a tissue, comprising a tissue oximeter sensor, wherein the tissue oximeter sensor can make oxygen saturation measurements of the tissue when there is no pulse;
a positioning mechanism coupled to the retractor; and
a controller coupled to the tissue oximeter sensor and the positioning mechanism, wherein the controller electronically controls the positioning mechanism to adjust a mechanical positioning of the nerve retractor based on an oxygen saturation reading from the tissue oximeter sensor,the retractor comprises a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the linkage element and a distal end comprising a tip, wherein the tip comprises the tissue oximeter sensor and a retractor portion, andthe tissue oximeter sensor comprises a first sensor emitter opening, a second sensor emitter opening, a first sensor detector opening, and a second sensor detector opening, wherein any of the three openings are positioned in a linear arrangement on a bottom side of the tip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.
59 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a retractor for retracting a tissue, comprising a tissue oximeter sensor, wherein the tissue oximeter sensor can make oxygen saturation measurements of the tissue when there is no pulse; a positioning mechanism coupled to the retractor; and a controller coupled to the tissue oximeter sensor and the positioning mechanism, wherein the controller electronically controls the positioning mechanism to adjust a mechanical positioning of the nerve retractor based on an oxygen saturation reading from the tissue oximeter sensor, the retractor comprises a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the linkage element and a distal end comprising a tip, wherein the tip comprises the tissue oximeter sensor and a retractor portion, and the tissue oximeter sensor comprises a first sensor emitter opening, a second sensor emitter opening, a first sensor detector opening, and a second sensor detector opening, wherein any of the three openings are positioned in a linear arrangement on a bottom side of the tip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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a nerve retractor comprising a tissue oximeter sensor; a force sensor coupled to the nerve retractor comprising tissue oximeter sensor; a positioning mechanism coupled to the nerve retractor; and a controller coupled to the tissue oximeter sensor and the positioning mechanism, wherein the controller controls the positioning mechanism to adjust a positioning of the nerve retractor based on an oxygen saturation reading from the tissue oximeter sensor, a first signal is from the controller, and a second signal is from the tissue oximeter sensor, and the first signal actuates the retractor, through movement of the positioning mechanism, if the second signal produced by the sensor is not above a first value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system comprising:
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a retractor for retracting a tissue, comprising a tissue oximeter sensor, wherein the tissue oximeter sensor can make oxygen saturation measurements of the tissue when there is no pulse; a positioning mechanism coupled to the retractor; and a controller coupled to the tissue oximeter sensor and the positioning mechanism, wherein the controller electronically controls the positioning mechanism to adjust a mechanical positioning of the nerve retractor based on an oxygen saturation reading from the tissue oximeter sensor, and the tissue oximeter sensor comprises at least a first fiber optic cable coupled to a fiber combiner, which is coupled to at least a second fiber optic cable and a third fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A system comprising:
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a nerve retractor comprising a tissue oximeter sensor; a force sensor coupled to the nerve retractor comprising tissue oximeter sensor; a positioning mechanism coupled to the nerve retractor; and a controller coupled to the tissue oximeter sensor and the positioning mechanism, wherein the controller controls the positioning mechanism to adjust a positioning of the nerve retractor based on an oxygen saturation reading from the tissue oximeter sensor, the tissue oximeter sensor comprises at least a first fiber optic cable coupled to a fiber combiner, which is coupled to at least a second fiber optic cable and a third fiber optic cable, and in the fiber combiner, there is a separating bar between at least a portion of the second and third fiber optic cables.
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Specification