IP Library Granted Patent US 9,936,972
Granted Patent B2
US 9,936,972 · App. 14/927,840 · Granted Apr 10, 2018

Method of automatically monitoring the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm and monitoring system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,936,972
App. No.
14/927,840
Granted
Apr 10, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for automatically monitoring the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm and monitoring system is provided. The method and system automatically monitors the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm and/or an instrument guided through the trocar into a body cavity through an incision in the surface of the body of a patient during a surgical procedure. At least one measured value is recorded, by which a change in a force effect on the surface of the body of the patient may be determined, and automatic evaluation of the measured value with regard to a reference measured value is conducted. Comparison of the change in the measured value or the change in the force effect with a threshold value is made, and an indication in the event of the threshold value being exceeded is outputted.

Claims (52)

1. A method for automatically monitoring the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm, an instrument guided through the trocar, or the trocar and the instrument into a body cavity through an incision in the surface of the body of a patient during a surgical procedure, the method comprising:

recording at least one measured value, a change in a force effect on the surface of the body of the patient determinable from the at least one measured value;

automatically evaluating the at least one measured value based on a reference measured value;

comparing a change in the measured value or the change in the force effect with a threshold value; and

outputting an indication in event of the threshold value being exceeded.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured value is evaluated with regard to the change in the force effect.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the measured value is formed by a measured value representing a penetration depth of the trocar, of the instrument, or of the trocar and of the instrument in the body cavity.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the measured value is formed by a pressure value representing the pressure in the body cavity of the patient.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the measured value is formed by at least one torque value of at least one shaft of the robotic arm.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured value is formed by a measured value representing a penetration depth of the trocar, of the instrument, or of the trocar and of the instrument in the body cavity.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining penetration depth by at least one visual marker provided on the trocar, on the instrument, or on the trocar and the instrument via a visual measuring system of a camera system;

recording the visual marker via the camera system; and

evaluating the recording of the visual marker with regard to the penetration depth.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured value is formed by a pressure value representing the pressure in the body cavity of the patient.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured value is formed by at least one torque value of at least one shaft of the robotic arm.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising:

determining the at least one torque value; and

determining the change in the force effect on the surface of the body based on the at least one torque value; and

determining a compensating movement of the robotic arm to minimize the force effect.

11. A monitoring system for automatically monitoring the penetration behavior of a trocar held on a robotic arm, an instrument guided through the trocar into a body cavity through an incision in the surface of the body of a patient, or the trocar and the instrument during a surgical procedure, the monitoring system comprising:

at least one measuring system, the measuring system configured to

record a measured value, a change in a force effect on the surface of the body of the patient determinable from the measured value;

an evaluation device for evaluating the measured value; and

an output device for outputting an indication.

12. A monitoring system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a trocar, an instrument, or a trocar and an instrument with at least one visual marker operable to:

display a penetration depth of the trocar or instrument in the body cavity, wherein the measuring system further comprises at least one visual detector configured to

detect a visual marker, and

record the visual marker,

wherein the evaluation device is configured to

determine the penetration depth from the recorded, measured value of the measuring system.

13. The monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the visual marker is formed by a visual length scale arranged on the trocar, on the instrument, or on the trocar and on the instrument, and the visual measuring system has at least one camera.

14. The monitoring system of claim 13 , wherein the output device further comprises:

a monitor or a touchpad or a loudspeaker.

15. The monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the output device further comprises:

a monitor or a touchpad or a loudspeaker.

16. The monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the measuring system is further configured to

determine a measured value representing a pressure in the body cavity.

17. The monitoring system of claim 16 , wherein the output device further comprises:

a monitor or a touchpad or a loudspeaker.

18. The monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the measuring system further comprises:

at least one torque sensor arranged on the robotic arm.

19. The monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the output device further comprises:

a monitor or a touchpad or a loudspeaker.

20. An endoscopic robotic system comprising:

at least one robotic arm holding a trocar, an instrument, or a trocar and an instrument guided through the trocar; and

a monitoring system comprising:

at least one measuring system, the measuring system configured to

record a measured value, a change in a force effect on the surface of the body of the patient determinable from the measured value,

an evaluation device for evaluating the measured value, and

an output device for outputting an indication.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 066088 FRAME: 0256. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 17, 2024
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 071178/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 066088/0256 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2018
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
Reel/Frame 046380/0273 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2015
From: BLOHM, LUTZ; MARTENS, MICHAEL; MEWES, PHILIP
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 037252/0783 →