IP Library Granted Patent US 11,457,985
Granted Patent B2
US 11,457,985 · App. 16/051,461 · Granted Oct 4, 2022

Method and apparatus for organ manipulation using a surgical robotic system

Inventor: Kevin Andrew Hufford (Cary, NC)
Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
A61B34/37A61B34/74A61B90/50A61B2034/302
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,457,985
App. No.
16/051,461
Granted
Oct 4, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a robotic surgical system, an organ manipulation device such as a uterine manipulator with a colpotomy cup is positionable on a first robotic manipulator while a surgical instrument is positionable on a second robotic manipulator. During the course of surgery, a user inputs instructions to the robotic surgical system to cause movement of the organ manipulator and surgical instrument.

Claims (12)

1. A surgical method comprising:

positioning an organ manipulator on a first robotic manipulator arm, wherein the organ manipulator is a uterine manipulator having a culpotomy ring;

positioning a surgical instrument on a second robotic manipulator arm, wherein the surgical instrument is a cutting instrument; and

using user input devices, inputting instructions to the robotic surgical system to cause movement of the organ manipulator and surgical instrument in response to the instructions; and using the cutting instrument to cut around the culpotomy ring.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a user console and the method includes inputting instructions using a first input handle of the user console to cause movement of the organ manipulator, and inputting instructions to the second input handle to cause movement of the surgical instrument.

3. The method of claim 2 , where a single person operates the first and second input handles to input the instructions.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a first input handle, the robotic surgical system configured such that the first input handle is selectively paired with a first one of the robotic arms such that input to the first input handle results in movement of the organ manipulator, and selectively paired with a second one of the robotic arms such that input to the first input handle results in movement of the surgical instrument.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein movement of the organ manipulator is laparoscopic movement relative to a fulcrum.

6. The method of claim 5 , further including the steps of positioning the organ manipulator within an organ, determining a fulcrum along an axis of the organ manipulator relative to an anatomical feature, and then pivoting the organ manipulator relative to the fulcrum.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the anatomical feature is an incision site.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the anatomical feature is a natural orifice.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the natural orifice is a vaginal opening.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2025
From: ASENSUS SURGICAL US, INC.
To: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 073841/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2024
From: ASENSUS SURGICAL, INC.; ASENSUS SURGICAL US, INC.; ASENSUS SURGICAL EUROPE S.À R.L.; ASENSUS SURGICAL ITALIA S.R.L.
To: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 069795/0381 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2022
From: HUFFORD, KEVIN ANDREW
To: ASENSUS SURGICAL US, INC.
Reel/Frame 060025/0121 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62539524 · Jul 31, 2017
Related Publication 20210369367A1 · Dec 2, 2021