Bilateral teleoperation: An historical survey

A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon. The input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effector, so that the handles can be moved to a more comfortable position. The system may also have a robotically controlled endoscope which allows the surgeon to remotely view the surgical site. A cardiac procedure can be performed by making small incisions in the patient's skin and inserting the instruments and endoscope into the patient. The surgeon manipulates the handles and moves the end effectors to perform a cardiac procedure such as a coronary artery bypass graft.

Method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures

This invention is a surgical system (10) that may include a remotely controlled surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be coupled to a tool driver (1602) that can spin, and actuate the instrument. The instrument may include an actuator rod that is coupled to an end effector (1710), and detachably connected to a push rod (1654). The push rod (1836) can move relative to the handle to actuate the end effector. The end effector may include a fixture that conforms to the shape of a needle (1712). The handle (1812) can be secured to the tool driver by inserting pins into corresponding slots that are located on both the instrument and the tool driver. The instrument can be controlled by an operator through a pair of handles (1806). Each handle may be mechanically balanced by a counterweight. The surgical system may also include a touch pad (1808) that allows the operator to enter parameters of the system.

Method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures

The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Robotic catheter system and methods

A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Robotic catheter system

The goal of the work described is to develop a new generation of "intelligent" surgical systems that can work cooperatively with a human surgeon to off-load routine tasks, reduce the number of people needed in the operating room, and provide new capabilities that complement the surgeon's own skills. An underlying premise of this work is that machine capabilities coupled with human judgement can accomplish many tasks better than either could do alone. A further premise is that such a partnership is synergistic with present trends toward geometrically precise, image guided, and minimally invasive therapies. The net result will be better clinical results, lower net costs through shorter hospital stays and recovery times, and reducing the chances for repeated surgery. >

A telerobotic assistant for laparoscopic surgery

This paper addresses the problem of optimal motion control for teleoperated surgical robots, which must maneuver in constrained workspaces, often through a narrow entry portal into the patient's body. The control problem is determining how best to use the available degrees of freedom of a surgical robot to accomplish a particular task, while respecting geometric constraints on the work volume, robot mechanism, and the specific task requirements. We present a method of formulating desired motions as sets of task goals in any number of coordinate frames (task frames) relevant to the task, optionally subject to additional linear constraints in each of the task frames. Mathematically, the kinematic control problem is posed as a constrained quadratic optimization problem and is shown to be computable in real time on a PC. We will present experimental results of the application of this control methodology to both kinematically deficient and kinematically redundant robots. Specifically, we will discuss the control issues within the context of a representative set of tasks in robot-assisted laparoscopy, which includes (but is not limited to) teleoperated navigation of a laparoscopic camera attached to a surgical robot. A system based on this control formalism has been used in preclinical in vivo studies at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center and the early experience with the system will be summarized.

Constrained Cartesian motion control for teleoperated surgical robots

The present invention is a method of controlling a robotic mechanism comprising both active and passive joints, where the motion of one or more of the passive joints is constrained by one or more constraints imposed on the mechanism by the environment, the mechanical construction of the mechanism or the nature of the task. The method is capable of controlling mechanisms with multiple sets of passive joints with multiple environmental constraints restricting the motion of the mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the novel method is used to control a surgical robot holding a surgical instrument inserted into a patient through a natural or man-made orifice.

Method of constrained Cartesian control of robotic mechanisms with active and passive joints

This paper describes the control and ergonomic evaluation of a ceiling mounted (or support frame suspended) 7-axis surgical robot (HISAR) for laparoscopic camera navigation. A key feature of the robot is that it incorporates a passive wrist for natural compliance with the port of entry into the patient. The use of a previously reported constrained Cartesian controller is motivated and demonstrated, and the results of successfully applying this control methodology to the manipulator are presented. The significance of the control strategy is the ease with which control of passive axes, the fulcrum constraint, and the motion inversion effect created by the fulcrum are accommodated. We also report on the results of laboratory evaluations of the arm in terms of its work volume, ergonomic factors, ease of control, and overall design within the context of laparoscopic camera control.

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Control and evaluation of a 7-axis surgical robot for laparoscopy

We have hegun development of a telerobotic system to replace a human camera operator in endoscopic surgical procedures. The system will consist of a remote center-of-motion manipulator holding the endoscope; a computer workstation supporting image processing, graphics, manipulator control, and other functions; and a variety of man-machine interlaces (voice, instrumented joystick, etc.). A prototype system using an industrial robot has been implemented and used to demonstrate essential functions.

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Janez Funda

Papers

A telerobotic assistant for laparoscopic surgery

Constrained Cartesian motion control for teleoperated surgical robots

Method of constrained Cartesian control of robotic mechanisms with active and passive joints

Control and evaluation of a 7-axis surgical robot for laparoscopy

A telerobotic system for augmentation of endoscopic surgery